New Thai Police Chief Sets Bold Crime-Fighting Agenda

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: MGR Online

 

Thailand's newly appointed National Police Chief, Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch, has vowed to improve the Royal Thai Police's reputation and tackle crime head-on. Following his unanimous appointment by the Police Commission, the Ratchaburi native has outlined his commitment to upholding law and order, protecting life and property, and enhancing police professionalism.

 

Succeeding Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, who retired in September, Pol Gen Kittharath has pledged to bring transparency and honesty to his administration. "I will work with honesty and transparency for the happiness of the people. They are my core working policies," he declared in an interview with the Bangkok Post.

 

With a police career that began in 1988 as a deputy inspector in Rayong, Pol Gen Kittharath has risen through the ranks, demonstrating a strong track record in intelligence work and crisis management. His leadership journey was accelerated during his time as the acting national police chief amid internal controversies, earning the trust to take the helm permanently until September 2026.

 

Addressing high-priority issues, Pol Gen Kittharath has identified 15 urgent policy areas. One significant focus is curbing illegal migration and tightening collaboration with the Immigration Bureau and other units like tourist and metropolitan police.

Aiming to bolster public confidence, he also plans to introduce "police influencers" to reconsider public reliance on online activists for legal issues, ensuring that the police become the go-to authority for assistance in cases of online scams and other legal matters.

 

Furthermore, Pol Gen Kittharath is reinforcing the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) as a primary contact point for handling complex and international cases. He envisions the CIB working cohesively with other divisions to solidify public trust in the police force.

 

Understanding the pervasive threat of cybercrime, Pol Gen Kittharath plans to enhance the technological proficiency of police personnel. In collaboration with neighbouring countries, he also intends to intensify narcotics suppression efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks using Thailand as a transit point. "If the suppression effort succeeds, narcotics will become far too expensive and will not be sold," he confidently asserted.

 

In a nod to his roots, Pol Gen Kittharath expresses a deep appreciation for non-commissioned officers, who form the backbone of the police force. With personal insight into their roles, he is committed to ensuring their welfare and professional development.

 

Embarking on this challenging role, Pol Gen Kittharath brings a clear mandate and a resolve to foster a transparent, accountable, and professional police organisation. His efforts aim to reconstruct the public's trust, transforming the Royal Thai Police into an institution of integrity and citizen support, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-12-17

 

 

[lordgrinz]

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

His efforts aim to reconstruct the public's trust, transforming the Royal Thai Police into an institution of integrity and citizen support, reported Bangkok Post.

 

A good place to start would be to put the lazy police force out on to the streets enforcing laws, start by making the streets safe to travel, the sidewalks safe to walk on, and the Zebra crossings safe to cross. The knock-on effect of which will put police in neighborhoods to stop so-called crimes before they happen, to keep the streets clear of traffic and illegally parked cars and vendors. I know, its too much to ask, This is Thailand the land of the lawless.

[mran66]

Another show by National Comedy Theater

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's newly appointed National Police Chief, Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch, has vowed to improve the Royal Thai Police's reputation and tackle crime head-on.

Starting in their own back-yard?

[dallen52]

I can't believe they can be so straight faced when making these announcements...

 

Over 250,000 active police members. 

You can drive 500km and not see one officer. 

 

Try to lodge a complaint and it's too hard.

Try to get an officer to attend after hours.

Too hard. 

 

Zero effort to increase bike rider safety. 

Minimum focus on road traffic violations.

 

Plenty of focus on tea money still.

[NorthernRyland]

Crime is already so low in Thailand. It's the frekin' idiots on wheels that are going to kill you. Why Thailand can't figure this out is beyond me.

[Bday Prang]

And that's exactly how things will remain of course. But he can't exactly come out and say that can he. So he repeats a well rehearsed script learnt at the training center, They actually put themselves into a special hypnotic state before making such utterances to ensure a straight face and avoid any unfortunate smirking 

[NorthernRyland]

2 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

lazy police force

You made a typo: useless-lazy police force.

[NorthernRyland]

16 minutes ago, dallen52 said:

I can't believe they can be so straight faced when making these announcements...

 

Over 250,000 active police members. 

You can drive 500km and not see one officer. 

 

well you don't understand the brilliant system they have. The police come AFTER you've been hit and killed but stay in the office until then. It's all very logical and sensical once you wrap your head puny farang around it.

[Bday Prang]

2 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

Crime is already so low in Thailand. It's the frekin' idiots on wheels that are going to kill you. Why Thailand can't figure this out is beyond me.

I think they have well figured it out and come to the conclusion that a traffic violation is nothing more than a victimless crime and is of no interest to them.  These days with more and more people actually being insured even serious road traffic accidents are probably not the lucrative cash cow they used to be. 

         The police probably look at at as "domestic" or social issue ,which it partly is, and as such feel uninclined to involve themselves, a bit like wife beating ,  

[wensiensheng]

Blah blah blah.

[Jonathan Swift]

3 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

A good place to start would be to put the lazy police force out on to the streets enforcing laws, start by making the streets safe to travel, the sidewalks safe to walk on, and the Zebra crossings safe to cross. The knock-on effect of which will put police in neighborhoods to stop so-called crimes before they happen, to keep the streets clear of traffic and illegally parked cars and vendors. I know, its too much to ask, This is Thailand the land of the lawless.

Let's wish him luck rather be cynical and sarcastic before he's even begun. Progress in these areas is difficult even for those with the best intentions. Remember he's going after a well entrenched status quo. As far as "land of the lawless", ever hear of a place called The United States? 

[Sydebolle]

Ah, it is Christmas time again; followed by New Year resolutions. 

What a farce all this is, nobody in his right mind believes a word coming from any of these uniformed "servants to the public"! 

[Polaky]

Yawn, how many times have we heard these heroic comments only to be bitterly disappointed. 

[paul1804]

It would be personally reassuring if we for 1 minute believed him but sadly for Thailand they are chair warmers and tea money collectors. He may well have good intentions but what about the other 249,999 officers ???

[Davedub]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Pol Gen Kittharath brings a clear mandate and a resolve to foster a transparent, accountable, and professional police organisation. His efforts aim to reconstruct the public's trust, transforming the Royal Thai Police into an institution of integrity and citizen support, reported Bangkok Post

 

If I had a penny for every time I've heard a Thai authority figure express those sentiments over the past 16 years...

 

I wonder if anybody actually takes these sorts of announcements seriously?

[Captain Flack]

An off topic post and replies have been removed. This topic is “New Thai Police Chief Sets Bold Crime-Fighting Agenda” and has nothing to do with your opinion on Trump.

[spidermike007]

It's just too late, nothing short of dismantling the entire police department apparatus, and rebuilding it from scratch would suffice to improve its status from the largest pyramid scheme in Thailand to a legitimate organization. These guys are not policeman, they're not law enforcement, they are individual franchisees. 

[AustinRacing]

Why it can’t be done? From entry into police force/military where you have to bribe someone to get in to being promoted each time where you have to bribe someone again means you cannot fight the system as your hands are dirty too. To be a General one can only asssume you must pay even a bigger bribe and be connected to people who run the show. This is how mafia works. To be “made” you’re required to do a criminal act such as murder. They’ve got something on you!!!

[Cabradelmar]

anyone ascending to this level under the existing system got there knowing (the probably leveraging) the corruption. don't trust any of the old guard. you want change appoint an unknown from outside the rank and file and give him free reign to clean house.

[BoganInParasite]

Not a single reference to "crackdown". So either nothing will happen or it will be ineffective anyway. Saw maybe 25-30 officers on one part of the 101 in Nan city yesterday morning getting ready to assure the rapid transit of a VVIP to the airport. Likely double that in central part of the city doing the same. Hardly an effective use of crime fighting resources.

[MangoKorat]

New Thai Police Chief Sets Bold Crime-Fighting Agenda

 

Sure I've heard this before somewhere.........🤔

[MangoKorat]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

One significant focus is curbing illegal migration and tightening collaboration with the Immigration Bureau and other units like tourist and metropolitan police.

Not cracking down on police corruption then?

[NorthernRyland]

3 hours ago, BoganInParasite said:

Not a single reference to "crackdown". So either nothing will happen or it will be ineffective anyway. Saw maybe 25-30 officers on one part of the 101 in Nan city yesterday morning getting ready to assure the rapid transit of a VVIP to the airport. Likely double that in central part of the city doing the same. Hardly an effective use of crime fighting resources.

Speaking of police escorts it's so baffling to me they insist on driving on such insane speeds through cities. They're blocked off parts of the road but someone could easily make a mistake  and get on to the road and have some nasty collision. Even the police don't seem to understand basic road safety here. It's truly a lost cause.

[NorthernRyland]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

It's just too late, nothing short of dismantling the entire police department apparatus, and rebuilding it from scratch would suffice to improve its status from the largest pyramid scheme in Thailand to a legitimate organization. These guys are not policeman, they're not law enforcement, they are individual franchisees. 

but where are you going to get this new man from? The police are paid a pittance and pulled from the lower ranks of society where there is apparently a commonly held belief that corruption is an acceptable way to get ahead in life.

 

Fixing the Thai police would probably require some sort of mandatory anti-corruption campaign starting in the very early years of schooling. Unless the common man and society believes corruption is wrong and they feel shame about it nothing will change in my opinion.

[Mr Meeseeks]

6 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

Crime is already so low in Thailand.

 

Depends on what kind of crime.

 

Illicit drug production, distribution, and use is rampant. 

 

Gun and knife crime is pretty common.

 

Prostitution is everywhere.

[dutch boy]

2 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

but where are you going to get this new man from? The police are paid a pittance and pulled from the lower ranks of society where there is apparently a commonly held belief that corruption is an acceptable way to get ahead in life.

 

Fixing the Thai police would probably require some sort of mandatory anti-corruption campaign starting in the very early years of schooling. Unless the common man and society believes corruption is wrong and they feel shame about it nothing will change in my opinion.

So very true, it seems the Thai people are born with a corruption gene from birth. No amount of schooling or training will enable these people to escape their wanton disregard for law. Thailand is a pig with lipstick on and no one is fooled.

[NorthernRyland]

16 minutes ago, dutch boy said:

So very true, it seems the Thai people are born with a corruption gene from birth. No amount of schooling or training will enable these people to escape their wanton disregard for law. Thailand is a pig with lipstick on and no one is fooled.

I don't like Thai's have reached the level of civilization where they understand corruption is like poison and it kills everyone slowly.

 

I've talked to them about this before and they seem to understand it's wrong at a surface level but also a sense that's it's the privilege of officials to do so. I'm sure it's part of the brainwashing they get in school  towards authorities in general. Submit, bow, acquiesce etc...

[still kicking]

[BusyB]

If he's serious he could prove it by ensuring a red notice is issued to Interpol for 'Boss', who is even accused of killing and maliciously mistreating the body of one of his own.

 

It's known where he is. He'd be arrested immediately and could be returned before the remaining charges also fall under the statute of limitations.

 

Well?

 

Thought not.

 

He kids us not.