"VVIP": Tourist Police spokesman explains their involvement in public scandal that has hit Thailand

[webfact]

Picture: Thai Rath

 

A spokesman for the Tourist Police in Thailand has explained their role in the scandal now known as "VVIP" that has been the talk of Thailand.

 

In a briefing full of standard RTP rhetoric the spokesman also explained the Tourist Police role with a promise that it won't happen again in the future, notes ASEAN NOW. 

 

The scandal involves a female Chinese tourist who made a clip after being fast-tracked at Suvarnabhumi airport then taken in a motorcade to a hotel in Pattaya.

 

Money changed hands for the privilege. It has been alleged that such favors had been known about for a decade. 

 

Thai Rath reported that Tourist Police chief Pol Lt-Gen Sukhun Phrommayon had asked Maj-Gen Apichart Suribunya to explain.

 

The spokesman acknowledged that the case was one of important public interest and that the tourist police had acted properly and fully in their investigation so far.

 

Apichart gave half a dozen main points.

 

He confirmed that the female tourist had left Thailand and that at present this was not a criminal case.

 

If it turns into one then there are means by which the lady could be interviewed via international agencies for further evidence gathering.

 

Then he addressed the issue that this fast-tracking favors system had been going on for years, as has been alleged in the media.

 

He said that the tourist police would work with all police and private sectors to get to the bottom of what happened and that prosecutions would follow if wrong doing was found.

 

He asked that the public provide tips to inform the investigation and provide transparency.

 

He admitted that two tourist police officers at the airport were involved in the affair but that they were not involved in the mororcade aspect, just the facilitation at Suvarnabhumi.

 

He spoke of a policeman being asked to help by a "Chinese friend".

 

He said that a meeting of tourist police commanders on Monday had resolved to investigate the matter fully and ensure that they will continue work for the good of both Thai and foreign tourists in a warm and friendly manner that promoted a good image.

 

He said that this system of favors would not happen again. For sure.

 

He stressed that police were entitled to wear their uniform off duty but not use it for their benefit. The vehicle used in this case was not a Tourist Police one.

 

Finally he said that the Tourist Police were not just an entity that worked within the framework of the RTP but were connected to the tourism ministry working for the promotion and good of the country. 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2023-01-26

 

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[MRToMRT]

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

Finally he said that the Tourist Police were not just an entity that worked within the framework of the RTP but were connected to the tourism ministry working for the promotion and good of the country. 

Well thats clears it up then, it must have been part of their job? Promoting Thailand's destination for the Chinese.

 

The question that never gets asked in these weekly (it seems) investigations into many gov depts is "how far up the tree does the money go. Whats the percentage split with the upper echelons?

[Screaming]

Thailand is a corrupt third world country and nothing surprises me about who has their hand in the pot.

[stoner]

always an excuse or someone else to blame. smh.

 

grow up thailand !

[worrab]

He stressed that police were entitled to wear their uniform off duty??????? Why???Entitled????

[BritScot]

Grow a pair. For God sake what is wrong with what they have done if off duty. In fact I think they are selling their service cheap. I would use the service 6,000~10,000baht for a chauffered hassle free night out sounds OK. However there is always the chance you end up getting a shake down by those paid to protect... 

[pedro01]

The lesson to be taken away from all this, of course is "don't get caught" - it simply spoils the boondoggle for all the others.

[worgeordie]

VVIP , a new category I have never heard of before , Very Very Important person ,

one who pays to be treated extra extra special by the Royal Thai police..

 

regards worgeordie

[Artisi]

tip of the iceberg - more scams than days of the year

[SoilSpoil]

22 minutes ago, BritScot said:

Grow a pair. For God sake what is wrong with what they have done if off duty. In fact I think they are selling their service cheap. I would use the service 6,000~10,000baht for a chauffered hassle free night out sounds OK. However there is always the chance you end up getting a shake down by those paid to protect... 

If people fail to understand that 'police for hire' is morally wrong and abuse of authority, there is not much hope for society. 

[Mavideol]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He said that this system of favors would not happen again. For sure.

did he said that with a straight face  ????????????

[Adumbration]

Money to buy those elephant tickets has to come from somewhere?

[Sydebolle]

Maybe someone out there explains the general his job as a prime minister. He is the boss over all ministries including the interior ministry. The latter is responsible for domestic affairs like the police force. The police should, repeat   S H O U L D   protect people and property; in Thailand the police has many other unwritten duties. Under the police you find the immigration department.

I assume that explains the mess in immigration, the corruption in the police and the over corruption in the interior ministry ......... question is only .....   W H E R E   does the bucket stop? 

[Nip]

The return of Apichart Suriboonya Previously the head of Interpol Thailand and banished 3 or 4 years ago to a desk beside the toilets in HQ that is one of the legendary inactive posts. The Thai media are well aware of this fact and that he was seated on the golden throne during the Koh Tao debacle and rumoured that he benefited financially. And there is more. And HE is rolled out to be humiliated. 

[BritScot]

1 hour ago, SoilSpoil said:

If people fail to understand that 'police for hire' is morally wrong and abuse of authority, there is not much hope for society. 

Why is it abuse if a policeman in his own time earning extra money for his family? These men and women are not earning a livable wage. Corruption is a different story.  I do not see this as any different from doing security work after their shift or driving a taxi as many do.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In a briefing full of standard RTP rhetoric the spokesman also explained the Tourist Police role with a promise that it won't happen again in the future

Until the next time...

[brucegoniners]

Wait. Are you telling me that Thai police are on the take? Say it aint so...

[Thingamabob]

A load of BS from the 'spokesman'. It's all about how the proceeds are apportioned within the RTP. 

[Cake Monster]

5 hours ago, Screaming said:

Thailand is a corrupt third world country and nothing surprises me about who has their hand in the pot.

About the only one that hasn,t, is Santa

[djayz]

Just do everybody a favour and admit that your system is rotten to the core. 

[Gottfrid]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

In a briefing full of standard RTP rhetoric the spokesman also explained the Tourist Police role with a promise that it won't happen again in the future

So, that means three days before we forgotten everything?

[MichaelHunt]

It might seem like it's a good idea that this has been exposed. But it's not going to somehow suddenly make the police more honest. It's going to make them seek other ways to make up for the lost revenue. I just hope that those other ways don't involve me.

[klauskunkel]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Finally he said that the Tourist Police were not just an entity that worked within the framework of the RTP but were connected to the tourism ministry working for the promotion and good of the country. 

OK then, 60% corruption from RTP and 40% from Tourism Ministry (Phiphat going "huh?!?").

It's nice to be working for the good of the country. Too bad the country doesn't know what's good for it.

[pokerface1]

On 1/26/2023 at 12:51 PM, Artisi said:

tip of the iceberg - more scams than days of the year

Why do I get the feeling there would be no crimes committed if they got rid of the RTP?

[Jai Dee]

A couple of posts containing petty bickering have been removed.