Analysis Slogan Turned Trap: The Enduring Damage of “Don’t Betray Your Own” in Police Culture

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

In a modern society yearning for deep-rooted judicial reform, one aspect that cannot be ignored is the institutional culture within the police force. A seemingly innocuous motto has become a deeply embedded ethos among many generations of Thai police officers: “Don’t kill your junior, don’t report your superior, don’t betray your friend.”

 

At first glance, the phrase appears to promote loyalty, solidarity, and a strong organisational bond. But a deeper analysis reveals it may well be a core obstacle to the rule of law and to true justice in Thailand.

 

Twisted Loyalty?

 

“Don’t kill your junior” suggests shielding subordinates who have committed wrongdoing, whether due to mistakes, misconduct or mutual benefit. Rather than ensuring accountability, it implies a collective effort to cover up faults so the individual can continue to serve without consequences.

 

“Don’t report your superior” is interpreted as an unwavering loyalty to those higher in rank, even if they violate ethical or legal boundaries. This fosters a rigid hierarchical loyalty that stifles internal scrutiny and breeds a culture of silence.

 

“Don’t betray your friend” means turning a blind eye to a colleague’s misconduct. In a law enforcement context, this effectively becomes complicity in breaking the law itself.

 

The Justice System Needs Truth, Not Blind Loyalty

 

The police form the starting point of any justice process, from investigation and arrest to interrogation. If officers are more committed to protecting each other than to uncovering the truth, investigations are skewed, evidence goes missing, offenders go free, and innocent people can suffer.

 

Worse still, this culture allows certain circles to exploit their positions for personal gain, reinforcing a network of protectionism rather than public service.

 

Real-World Consequences

 

This motto has directly contributed to instances of police brutality, torture during interrogation, false or exaggerated charges and even extrajudicial killings. Officers who try to expose wrongdoing are often ostracised, transferred or labelled traitors. Such consequences destroy any mechanism of internal accountability and further alienate the public from accessing justice.

 

Time for Change

 

The Royal Thai Police must reflect honestly on its internal culture. Organisational unity should never come at the expense of integrity and legal principles. Internal whistleblowing must be encouraged, not condemned as betrayal.

 

If an officer witnesses a colleague abusing a suspect, they should be commended for speaking out, not punished or cast aside.

 

This long-cherished motto may once have served as a morale booster, but in the context of modern reform, it now symbolises silence, protectionism, and impunity. To regain public trust, the culture must evolve.

 

A New Ethos for Police

 

In a genuine democracy, the police are not rulers over the public, they arethe public. Their role is to shield society from unjust power, no matter its source. Upholding the law fairly and honestly forms the bedrock of a society governed by justice and order.

 

If loyalty to individuals continues to outweigh loyalty to legal and ethical standards, meaningful reform will never take hold. A sustainable, trustworthy system can only be built on clear principles, not unspoken pacts.

 

A modern police culture must rest on three critical pillars:

 

1. Transparency and Accountability

Officers must be subject to public scrutiny in a real and practical sense, not just on paper. Open channels for complaints and public feedback are essential for meaningful progress and restored trust.

 

2. Impartiality and Equality Before the Law

The law must be applied equally to all, regardless of status, nationality or wealth. Only then can citizens truly feel protected rather than preyed upon.

 

3. Compassion and Respect for Human Dignity

Police should not presume guilt. Suspects, the poor and the marginalised must be treated with dignity. That is the mark of a civilised and moral society.

 

Reforming Culture for Economic and Social Gain

 

Police culture is not just an “internal” matter. It has a profound impact on the economy and international image of Thailand.

 

If tourists feel safe and confident they will not be extorted or profiled by officers, they are more likely to visit, boosting an economy heavily reliant on tourism. If investors see Thailand as a country where the law is fairly enforced, not manipulated for political ends, foreign investment will rise.

 

At home, public faith in the police encourages crime reporting and legal cooperation. It helps reduce violence, civil unrest and paves the way for peaceful coexistence.

 

The time has come to retire outdated notions of loyalty and forge a new police identity, one based on justice, accountability, and public service. Only then can Thailand build a law enforcement system its people can truly believe in.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-13

 

 

 

[dinsdale]

BIB is simply an embodiment of the endemic nature of corruption in Thailand which can be found from top to bottom. 

[papa al]

Gang culture.

Same same USA.

[sqwakvfr]

4 minutes ago, papa al said:

Gang culture.

Same same 

Gang culture? So which USA gang were you in? I must have been in the Police Gang culture because I was in a police gang for 2 decades?  Give me some specfics. 

[ikke1959]

The RTP should be totally being reformed and educated.. and surely start to work, doing their job 24 hours a day instead of a job from 9-5. And if the knowledge is missing, bring some foreign officers in to educate and train them...

 

And to tackle corruption, let the Revenue Department check all assets and income and spendings of all police officers. It would show who and how corrupt they are

[JoePai]

Sack 'em all - from the top down, and start again = the only way

[wozzlegummich]

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

And to tackle corruption, let the Revenue Department check all assets and income and spendings of all police officers. It would show who and how corrupt they are

 

[papa al]

6 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Gang culture? So which USA gang were you in? I must have been in the Police Gang culture because I was in a police gang for 2 decades?  Give me some specfics. 

Were you a cop.?

If so did you ever observe any sketchy behavior by other cops.?

Did you arrest them.?

 

That's what I thought.

Blue line gang.

Tens of thousands of  videos on Youtube document cop atrocities.

[sqwakvfr]

11 minutes ago, papa al said:

Were you a cop.?

If so did you ever observe any sketchy behavior by other cops.?

Did you arrest them.?

 

That's what I thought.

Blue line gang.

Tens of thousands of  videos on Youtube document cop atrocities.

Yes, Yes, I did see and intervened.  Suspect was handcuffed and one of the yahoos with a badge was going to body slam the suspect. I stopped this attempt at excessive force and this yahoo was my enemy for the rest of my career.  It went nowhere because it was my word against his and the suspect would not say anything. This was way before all the body

cams were in place.  We did not have gangs in blue.  We had some people who should have never been hired.  That is the actual not problem and not "gangs in blue". I can only

speak about my experience as an American police officer and I have no experience as to what occurrs at RTP. 

 

"That's what I thought". Yes you know virtually nothing about me and I know nothing about who or what you are. Nor do I care to ever know. I simply answered your question. Police misconduct means a higer level agency must make the arrest and not a fellow officer on the same departmetnt  Sometimes even the FBI has investigated local police and made arrests.  But of course you knew that, righ? 

 

Only 10,000 vidoes of police misconduct? No the number is much higher.  Considering there are at least 900,000 active police officers in the US the number is much higher.  Of course you knew that as well?

[Captain Flack]

A couple of off topic posts have been removed, to stop further deflection of the topic.

 

Existing posts are left, but please discuss the topic.