End of an Era: After 72 Years Disbandment of Railway Police

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Countdown to Closure: After a remarkable 72-year history of protecting Thailand's railway system, the "Railway Police" will cease operations on October 17th.

 

The official Facebook page of the National Police Bureau made an announcement, revealing that on October 17th, the "Railway Police" would cease their operations, in accordance with the restructuring plan outlined in the National Police Act of 2022, reported INN.

 

Originating in 1894 during King Chulalongkorn's (Rama V) reign as the "Railway Inspection Division," the "Railway Police" underwent a series of transformations. It evolved into the "Railway Police Division" and eventually attained the status of the "Railway Police Command."

 

Picture: INN

 

The command maintains stations across the nation, including locations in Bangkok, Makkasan, Hua Hin, Hat Yai, Nong Khai, and various others.

 

The Railway Police Command worked in collaboration with railway staff to provide public services, ensure safety, prevent crimes on trains, and maintain peace and order at railway stations nationwide.

 

Picture: INN

 

Following the royal endorsement of the National Police Act of 2022 on October 16, 2022, the Railway Police Command will be disbanded. Railway Police personnel will undergo reassignments to different units within the National Police Bureau.

 

During this transition period, special measures will be put in place to ensure the safety and security of train passengers and the public at railway stations and throughout train journeys.

 

TOP Picture: INN

 

-- ASEAN NOW 2023-10-16

 

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[Purdey]

Interesting, as I don't use the rail service much and never noticed these guy when I did.

[GreasyFingers]

Does this mean that you can now have alcohol on a long distance train.

[connda]

There were "railway police."  I just thought the rail-workers simply wore police-looking uniforms while at work.

[Bobthegimp]

We had Ports Police in Vancouver and there was a noticeable increase in crime after they were disbanded. The government's response was to put mall cops in little cars to drive around and call the real police when they spotted trouble. 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

5 hours ago, Purdey said:

Interesting, as I don't use the rail service much and never noticed these guy when I did.

I think they specialized in "undercover" assignments.... as in.... so undercover that you'd never actually see or find them!  ????

 

[KhaoNiaw]

In the late 1980s - early 90s, when I was doing the return run from Penang, the railway police would always appear on the train back on the Thai side and shake down the smugglers bringing stuff over the border. It was just everyday goods like snacks and stuff but it was entertaining to watch. On the Malaysian side, all these guys would suddenly appear with big bags that would get spread out wherever there was space down different carriages, Then on the Thai side, the railway police would come along trying to work out how much there was and threaten to confiscate some of it. It would end up with a haggling match and smiles all round. You could tell they all knew each other and it was just part of the game. Some of the goods would get dropped off at Hat Yai and the rest back to Bangkok. That was the only time I saw the railway police. 

[herfiehandbag]

Perhaps they were no longer productive - in the informally fiscal sense?