Transparent checkpoints ordered nationwide - uniforms/bodycams/ must be set up "for people's good"

[webfact]

Picture: Thai Rath

 

The chief of the Royal Thai police has demanded that checkpoints throughout Thailand are run transparently and for the good of the public.

 

Not the enrichment of police in extortion scams. It's the latest reaction to the damning Taiwanese actress extortion case that has opened a can of worms that are wriggling everywhere. 

 

Through his spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Achayon Kraithong, chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat has demanded that all officers wear bodycam devices at checkpoints.

 

No bodycams, no checkpoint was made clear in an infographic.

 

All officers must be in uniform and civilian attire is expressly forbidden. 

 

However there are get out clauses for this when it comes to certain drugs cases. The word 'important' was used, not 'expressly forbidden'. 

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Deputy Pol Gen Torsak Sukhwimon has been put in charge of the checkpoint improvements. 

 

Damrongsak has said that all checkpoints must be in place for the good of the public.

 

Thai Rath used the term "close the pen" in their report several times. This refers to taking action but is also strongly linked to the term "shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted" in English.

 

Strict rules were introduced for police checkpoints under the command of previous chief Pol Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk.

 

Amid much fanfare in the Thong Lor area of Bangkok during the pandemic it was demanded at a PR event that officers wear body cams and have CCTV survelling the whole of the checkpoint area that had to be brightly lit with clear signage. 

 

Every checkpoint had to be signed off by a senior commander. 

 

This clearly has not suited the activities of police engaged in what whistleblower Chuwit Kamolwisit has called an organized racket.

 

ASEAN NOW notes that Damrongsak's commands may see fewer checkpoints nationwide for a while. They may even be more transparently manned.

 

But the question will remain - will this just be a temporary move to paper over the cracks.

 

Before things get back to normal. 

 

Most Thai observers will say that is a given. The subject of corruption in the RTP has parallels with Italian authorities' efforts to rein in their mafia.

 

Meanwhile, Achayon said that the chief was fully apprized of Chuwit's allegations of corruption in the Metropolitan Police and Traffic Police in the Thai capital. 

 

In standard rhetoric a full investigation was promised.

 

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[Crossy]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

Through his spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Achayon Kraithong, chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat has demanded that all officers wear bodycam devices at checkpoints.

 

He did not however say that the batteries had to be charged and the devices turned on

[2baht]

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

extortion case that has opened a can of worms that are wriggling everywhere. 

???? How good is this! Squirm!

[ezzra]

Someone need to tell them bosses that this is has a lot to do with the attitude of the RTP personal and not about wearing devices and equipment to deter them from doing wrong...

[KhunBENQ]

He mixed it up. Drivers should wear body cams

A myth says that even a well visible dash-cam can lower their greed.

[realfunster]

Whilst I am sure we all want to reduce corruption, be careful what you wish for folks...Thailand is awash with archaic laws, where you may have noticed ridiculous and disproportionate fines/penalties applicable.

 

Relevant for this case, fines for vaping are 4x estimated vaping equipment cost, up to a maximum of THB 100,000.

Apparently, a prison sentence of between 1-10 years is also possible....

 

If the police are suddenly motivated to 'prosecute' to the full extent of the law to maintain their income streams, expect choppy waters ahead.

 

On the other hand, like most things here, this will probably all blow over in a matter of days....and the police will revert back to sensible settlements for most issues in the THB 200-THB 1,000 range. They were getting ridiculously greedy and have been pulled up on it. 

[tomyami]

The people who meet bb extorters should themselves wear body-cams

[Orinoco]

Well done, a small step in the right direction. 

[worgeordie]

Every checkpoint will have a bagman, without camera to collect

the "tea money" , no way are they going to give up  this lucrative business ,

 

regards worgeordie

[JonnyF]

I wonder how long this knee jerk fad will last.

 

My guess? 2 weeks.

[hughrection]

50 minutes ago, webfact said:

The chief of the Royal Thai police has demanded that checkpoints throughout Thailand are run transparently and for the good of the public.

Give it a week. LOL  ????

[Smokey and the Bandit]

One of the problems is you do get extorted by the police, who exactly do you complain to, the Police?

They need a independent body who can actually do something?

[hughrection]

12 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Every checkpoint will have a bagman, without camera to collect

the "tea money" , no way are they going to give up  this lucrative business ,

 

regards worgeordie

Like this bagman .....  ????

[mancub]

41 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

One of the problems is you do get extorted by the police, who exactly do you complain to, the Police?

They need a independent body who can actually do something?

Social Media is currently the instrument of choice. there being little alternative.

[Tropicalevo]

1 minute ago, mancub said:

Social Media is currently the instrument of choice. there being little alternative.

I wonder how long it will be before Thailand tries to stop social media - similar to China.

[Smokey and the Bandit]

4 minutes ago, mancub said:

Social Media is currently the instrument of choice. there being little alternative.

Quite, the problem being if you are in Thailand, it could pose a problem for you?

The Taiwanese lady had left so the RTP were powerless to do anything!

 

My point is there needs to be an official body set up, to deal with complaints. They would be overloaded I would imagine?

[klauskunkel]

In related News:

Police stations nationwide have started ordering video-editing software and are increasing budgets for a computer nerd on retainer.

(the above is of course not true, simply because it has not yet occurred to them)

[BoganInParasite]

I'm sure they announced something similar 2-3 years back.

[Humpy]

Do the police sitting in the gold shops all day have bodycams ?

[mushroomdave]

So bodycams a must "only at checkpoints"?  But any other places no bodycam needed right?  That should work out well! ???? ???? ????

[Bangkok Barry]

1 hour ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Quite, the problem being if you are in Thailand, it could pose a problem for you?

The Taiwanese lady had left so the RTP were powerless to do anything!

 

My point is there needs to be an official body set up, to deal with complaints. They would be overloaded I would imagine?

Except that I believe the head of the Anti Corruption body was found to be corrupt. There is no escape from the cancer.

[George Aylesham]

As this is all about money financial inducements to whistleblowers might help as well.

[steveyinasia]

Why do the RTP waste their time making these statements when everyone knows, nothing will change?

[findlay13]

Damrongsak has said that all checkpoints must be in place for the good of the public.  Yeah right!

[TheFishman1]

That’s a joke TIT

[kcpattaya]

What about these fake alcohol breathalyzers used by thai police?
 

[wealthychef]

3 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

He did not however say that the batteries had to be charged and the devices turned on

Nor is it reported how easily the footage can be obtained by interested members of the public. 

[ignore it]

You have to admire the way the RTP have mastered the art and skill of distraction and deflection.

 

[rwill]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Damrongsak has said that all checkpoints must be in place for the good of the public.

Taking money from people is for their own good.

[chilli42]

????????????????????????????????????????

 

The laughs never end in the land of smiles.