The Royal Thai Police’s (RTP) Ordnance Division firmly denied allegations of distributing substandard bulletproof vests following the circulation of a controversial image online. The image, which showed body armour layered with plywood, sparked concerns and criticisms about the quality and safety of the vests provided to officers.

 

The division’s commander, Police Major General Nirandon Sirisangchai, clarified yesterday that the RTP has never procured body armour or armour plates made with wood. He stressed that the purchasing and inspection processes are transparent, verifiable, and adhere to all relevant laws and regulations.

 

“Every vest is standardised under the National Institute of Justice measures and guaranteed by manufacturers.”

 

He added that any officers who have been injured while wearing these vests or who have concerns about their quality are encouraged to send them to the division for inspection.

 

 

The controversy began last week when an anonymous netizen posted a photo on Facebook showing a bulletproof vest, supposedly issued by the RTP, layered with plywood. The post alleged that the use of such a vest indicated corruption among senior officers, as plywood, would not provide adequate protection.

 

A Move Forward Party MP from Chachoengsao, Jirat Thongsuwan, amplified the issue by reposting the picture and criticising the quality of the RTP-issued vests.

 

Subsequently, the anonymous netizen, who was later identified as a police sergeant, disclosed that the image was sent to him by others, and he was unaware of its origin. He issued a public apology for spreading misinformation, noting that his commander had contacted and warned him about the post.

 

As the RTP continues to address these concerns, the emphasis remains on ensuring that all equipment, especially life-saving gear like bulletproof vests, meets the highest standards of safety and reliability. This incident has highlighted the importance of maintaining trust and transparency within the force and with the public they serve, reported Bangkok Post.

 

By Sarishti Arora

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post official website

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-07-23

 

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23 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

the RTP has never procured body armour or armour plates made with wood.

But maybe someone stole the armour plating and replaced it with wood prior to being issued?

31 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

He added that any officers who have been injured while wearing these vests or who have concerns about their quality are encouraged to send them to the division for inspection.

 

geeezuz... if they are as bad as some say no one will be able to send them back for inspection... theyll be dead.

I knew one officer who was going to send his in for inspection...

 

But by the time he got around to trying to do it, the termites at eaten the whole thing!

 

(joking....)  🤪

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“Every vest is standardised under the National Institute of Justice measures and guaranteed by manufacturers.”

China?

Wooden body armour ideal for my gat gun!

😁

Maintaining trust and transparency.

 

There is no trust and transparency to be maintained the organisation is riddled with corruption and scammers 

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Police Major General Nirandon Sirisangchai, clarified yesterday that the RTP has never procured body armour or armour plates made with wood. He stressed that the purchasing and inspection processes are transparent, verifiable, and adhere to all relevant laws and regulations.

However, if one holds a top rank in an organization known to the public to be corrupt and rotten, then even the most prolific usage of pretty sounding adjectives and adverbs in a statement wont help you with your credibility issues, it just makes you sound desperate.

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This incident has highlighted the importance of maintaining trust and transparency within the force and with the public they serve, reported Bangkok Post.

😐😀😀😀

14 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

geeezuz... if they are as bad as some say no one will be able to send them back for inspection... theyll be dead.

If an RTP died of injuries following a failure of a vest I think the problem would be identified quickly.

 

15 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

But maybe someone stole the armour plating and replaced it with wood prior to being issued?

Hah. The wooden plank was inside the vest!!!!😏😏😏😏😂🤣😂🤣

1 hour ago, klauskunkel said:

However, if one holds a top rank in an organization known to the public to be corrupt and rotten, then even the most prolific usage of pretty sounding adjectives and adverbs in a statement wont help you with your credibility issues, it just makes you sound desperate.

I suggest a full hands on personal demonstration..   with him wearing the vest..    

like they say in Missouri ..    "Show Me"

"He stressed that the purchasing and inspection processes are transparent, verifiable, and adhere to all relevant laws and regulations."

Even if they were fake, there should be no problem, as long as they get the ol' GT-200s out of storage:

Edited July 24, 20241 yr by Peabody

I haven't seen the photo in question but have seen the YouTuber Edwin Sarkissian shot a vest and they may be confusing the weave of the fabric thinking it looks like plywood.  Again have not seen the photo.

Thai police refute claims of substandard bulletproof vests.

 

If there are vests that are substandard then If they ordered the good ones than it will be that  some Corrupt A Hole got his fingers on the money and ordered the substandard ones to pocket some extra money for himself.