Udon Thani Traffic Police Officers Suspended Amid Bribery Scandal

[webfact]

FILE Photo by Yuriy Kovalev on Unsplash

Eighteen traffic police officers in Udon Thani have been suspended from active duty following allegations of accepting bribes in exchange for leniency on traffic violations.

 

The suspension comes after a video emerged on a local Facebook page, "E-Sor Khayee Laek," depicting officers offering motorists a choice between paying a fine on the spot or being issued a ticket. The footage quickly garnered public attention, sparking outrage and prompting calls for accountability.

 

Pol Col Phattanawong Chanphon, who oversees the Mueang Police Station in Udon Thani, confirmed that the incident occurred on December 21 along Mittraphap Road.

 

He expressed his dismay, noting that this is the first case of its kind during his 18-month tenure. In light of the allegations, 18 officers have been temporarily relieved of their duties as part of the disciplinary process.

 

In an effort to restore public trust and reinforce ethical behaviour within the force, Pol Col Phattanawong is planning to confer with the provincial police chief on Monday. The discussion will focus on revising current regulations and refining the procedures traffic officers must adhere to.

As the New Year approaches—a period notorious for an increase in traffic accidents—the department is keen to implement strict measures as part of the "Seven Dangerous Days" safety campaign. Strategic checkpoints will be established in four key locations across Udon Thani to enhance road safety compliance.

 

Furthermore, Pol Col Phattanawong has encouraged the community to report any ambiguous or suspect behaviour by officers, assuring the public that any such reports will be thoroughly investigated to ensure transparency and accountability.

 

In a separate but related incident, a traffic officer in Nonthaburi has been filmed collecting fines in cash without providing official tickets at Phong Phet intersection. In response, the Rattanathibet Police Station has initiated an investigation into the officer's conduct.

 

Pol Col Phisut Chantarasuwan, the station's superintendent, has stated that they expect to resolve the case and present findings within a week. Should the investigation conclude that misconduct occurred, both disciplinary action and potential criminal charges will be pursued.

 

The recent revelations have cast a spotlight on the integrity of traffic enforcement procedures in Thailand, with officials now under pressure to enforce stringent checks to rectify any abuses of power, reported Bangkok Post. 

 

-- 2024-12-23

 

 

[petermik]

Well I never...who would have believed it...a Thai Police officer accepting bribes 😜

[NE1]

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

The footage quickly garnered public attention, sparking outrage and prompting calls for accountability.

oh come on , this has been going on since God was a baby , we have all done it and grateful for it .

[JoePai]

He expressed his dismay, noting that this is the first case of its kind during his 18-month tenure

 

This chap should get up from snoozing behind his desk and travel around a bit more and no, not just to the local nosh cart for lunch

[KireB]

Very positive development

[bdenner]

That'll teach em for not giving their boss a slice of the action, who by the way, must have had his head buried in the sand for the passed 18 month.

[Tropicalevo]

This is wrong.

As always, it is the people at the bottom of the <deleted> pile that suffer.

These folk have to pay their 'superiors'  a monthly stipend to keep the plum jobs.

And this goes on all of the way up the chain to the top dog, who needs to recover the money that he paid in order to get that job.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He expressed his dismay, noting that this is the first case of its kind during his 18-month tenure

Blinkers?

[sgtsabai]

I remember many moons ago when I moved to New Mexico and well shall we say things were rather relaxed. Yes some villages lacked fire and police dept. We formed our own fire dept. and forever changed vol. firefighting in NM. Then after a couple of years came the californicators and New York yankees wanting all the things they had back where the came from and crying about it. Oh they started getting them, things changed and that relaxed atmosphere was gone. I see the same thing here. Would you rather pay the man or really pay the man like where you came from, loose your license, pay thousands of dollars or whatever currency, have your insurance go sky high for going 10 mph. over the too low speed limit? Not me, I'd rather pay the man and drive on. Btw, I'm not an old timer here, I only came for the sex and parties in 2002. Ah, not my first trip to SE Asia. 

[soalbundy]

I'm appalled....... that they've been suspended, paying under the clipboard is a cheap, time saving, time honoured system which also gives the poorly paid traffic cop a decent standard of living.

[Peabody]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

In light of the allegations, 18 officers have been temporarily relieved of their duties as part of the disciplinary process.

The problem in 1 word.

[The Old Bull]

He takes out his ticket pad then he takes out his pen. If the pen doesn't touch the paper then you know he is negotiable. I have only had to pay twice in twenty two tears. First time for going straight through when I was in the left turn lane . He was quick , I am sure he had the ticket written before coming to the window ,just had to add my name. The second time I got stuck at the lights behind someone turning right and the light went to red. He was young spoke perfect English and had a fairly pale complexion, did not look like he needed any tea money.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Eighteen traffic police officers in Udon Thani have been suspended from active duty following allegations of accepting bribes in exchange for leniency on traffic violations.

 

 

Are there any traffic police actually left on duty there in Udon Thani?

 

Or, do they have so many plods out collecting cash, that missing 18 really won't make any difference?