On September 17th, 2023, the Thai Journalists Association set up a conference on “Police Reform: Reclaim Faith or Downfall” in Bangkok lectured by Adjunct Professor Wicha Mahakun, a former member of the NCCC, or the National Counter Corruption Commission, Pol. Col. Wirut Sirisawatdibut, a Secretary General of IJR, and Dr. Mana Nimitmongkol, a Secretary General of ACT.

 

In the conference, Adjunct Professor Wicha commented in regard to the Royal Thai Police Organization in Thailand that centralized authority leads to a lack of comprehensive management in the organization and causes issues such as outsiders exploiting bribery, illicit promotions, gambling, etc. To reform this crisis state, decentralization and empowerment at provincial levels are necessary, Wicha believes.

 

“The Thai police organization should abolish the current military-style ranking system: police officers must be civilians and have no rank. Additionally, rankings can be considered a bad working environment. This is a sustainable solution to police reformation,” said Pol. Col. Wirut.

 

By Adam Judd

 

Full story: The Pattaya News 2023-09-18

 

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Mission impossible.

 

This book, written by Thai academics many years ago, gives a good overview about the situation. I would be surprised if it changes much in the last decades.

 

 

yeah right! every time there is a scandal the R word gets brandished around. reform the reform????

Fire everybody, starting at the very top, and then start again. Get some advice from a proper police force as to what the duties of policemen actually are. Surprise, surprise they are not drinking tea in the station and collecting bribes; they are actually supposed to uphold the law. Then employ some citizens who will uphold the law.....simples. Oh and pay them enough so that bribes are uneccesary, and one final thing, if any cop is found to be corrupt, jail him immediately, cancel his employment and pay; none of this transfer business.

7 hours ago, retarius said:

Fire everybody, starting at the very top, and then start again. Get some advice from a proper police force as to what the duties of policemen actually are. Surprise, surprise they are not drinking tea in the station and collecting bribes; they are actually supposed to uphold the law. Then employ some citizens who will uphold the law.....simples. Oh and pay them enough so that bribes are uneccesary, and one final thing, if any cop is found to be corrupt, jail him immediately, cancel his employment and pay; none of this transfer business.

There's obviously many factor which neeed reform.

I certainly agree that transfer for those who transgress should NOT be available. And there should be several civilian committees which oversee investigations, suggest new policies etc., and thos on such committees should be changed regularly (18 mnths?) so that graft has less chance of taking root. ANd civilian oversight of all recruitment and promotions using a rotating civilian committee.

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“The Thai police organization should abolish the current military-style ranking system: police officers must be civilians and have no rank. Additionally, rankings can be considered a bad working environment. This is a sustainable solution to police reformation,” said Pol. Col. Wirut.

Said Pol. Col.Wirut..

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

e Royal Thai Police Organization in Thailand

Is it just me?, but I have never heard of a police force being called an ORGANIZATION before 

Somewhat akin  a family of Fox trying solve the Henhouse issues.

It's hopeless, I've heard it so many times and it never leads to anything substantial. 

They look a dynamic bunch form a sub-committee at the double ????

2 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Is it just me?, but I have never heard of a police force being called an ORGANIZATION before 

How about Franchise? 

16 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Mission impossible.

 

This book, written by Thai academics many years ago, gives a good overview about the situation. I would be surprised if it changes much in the last decades.

 

 

That had to be one of the first books I read when I came to Thailand, 20 odd years ago, 

Im not impressed by that bunch of committee members, neither will the police be

While not convinced a mass debate will solve anything, however recently read that there are now some crimes that the British police will not investigate. A slippery slope to Thai levels. 

1 hour ago, Caldera said:

It's hopeless, I've heard it so many times and it never leads to anything substantial. 

Well, there is the many lavish committee meetings and expensive food and lodging handed out, then they put out a statement suggesting new changes that will actually never happen, rinse and repeat.

22 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

That had to be one of the first books I read when I came to Thailand, 20 odd years ago, 

Same same.

And somehow I am pretty sure if they would research the situation now almost nothing changed. TiT. 

2 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Same same.

And somehow I am pretty sure if they would research the situation now almost nothing changed. TiT. 

few name changes that all

32 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

How about Franchise? 

More co-operative, we all benefit ????

Same same as the "military reform" that was proposed by PTP ... window dressing.

39 minutes ago, Artisi said:

More co-operative, we all benefit ????

Well they do have their dividend number on hand, just like the co-op stores in the UK years a ago.

7 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Well they do have their dividend number on hand, just like the co-op stores in the UK years a ago.

Im old enough to remember that

4 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Is it just me?, but I have never heard of a police force being called an ORGANIZATION before 

So what's your value added point?

 

3 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Im old enough to remember that

My Dad got really annoyed at me one time I'd brought something from the co-op and hadn't given them his number.

But I digress from the OP only just though. Mind you swap dad for station chief and same same. 

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

While not convinced a mass debate will solve anything, however recently read that there are now some crimes that the British police will not investigate. A slippery slope to Thai levels. 

Yes, next time I go to the UK I will be doing my rounds of Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrison's etc. ????????

1 hour ago, NoshowJones said:

Yes, next time I go to the UK I will be doing my rounds of Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrison's etc. ????????

Don't forget Mark's and Sparks.... 

7 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Said Pol. Col.Wirut..

So the guy has a rank he is willing to relinquish, what is your point?

Police Reform in Thailand

 

This has been the same headline, coming up every year since over 20 years. But nothing has ever happened.

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Thai Journalists Association set up a conference on “Police Reform

Why not also set up town hall type meetings around the country with people police supposedly serve. Regions will have own unique enforcement issues.

Also on the agenda should be the authority given by PM Prayut to the military's Internal Security Organization Command (ISOC) involvement in civilian affairs vs law enforcement.

Police organizational command and funding in general needs review. Police responsible for national federal crimes should be separate from Provincial enforcement and possibly further segregated down to district. The scope of the National Police Commissioner leadership should not extend into district enforcement other than for national federal crimes. 

I have no issue with Police rankings so long as they reflect the nature of their duties. "Patrolman" job is pretty clear. And they don't need army bootcamp trsining nor parachute wings. They're civilians except on the national level.

A decent wage will go a long way to solving the RTP corruption problem.

13 hours ago, DavidLangdown said:

A decent wage will go a long way to solving the RTP corruption problem.

Agree, and a truly independent investigation unit; make it more costly to be corrupt than to be honest.