Policeman Cheats Bt1.2 Million In Traffic Fine Rewards

[george]

Police officer allegedly cheats peers out of Bt1.2 million in traffic fine rewards

CHIANG MAI: -- Some 50 traffic policemen of the Chiang Mai head office Friday field complaint against their peer, alleging him with cheating them out of Bt1.2 million in traffic fine rewards.

The policemen filed complaint against Police Senior Sergeant Major Thanawat Sinpieng, 47, at the Muang district police station.

They said Thanawat was assigned to withdraw the money of traffic fine rewards for December from the Krung Thai Bank's San Pa Khoy branch in the Muang district on December 29 but he disappeared.

The money was for sharing among 150 traffic policemen, they said.

They said Thanawat was earlier assigned to withdraw the money several times with no problem.

He has disappeared with his family.

-- The Nation 2009-01-09

[JimmyTheMook]

Irony at it's best !!!

[TAWP]

So was this an account with bribe/payoff money, since surely the legally collected money wouldn't be distributed to some officers from some bank account but going back to the treasure department and benefit all citizens...?

Edit: Monthly amount of 1.2m, divided amongst 150 officers = 8k baht extra in pocket money.

Edited January 9, 2009 by TAWP

[jayjayjayjay]

Were these offical rewards or very liquid cooruption payments? Is there any offical system in place?

Edited January 9, 2009 by jayjayjayjay

[JimmyTheMook]

So was this an account with bribe/payoff money, since surely the legally collected money wouldn't be distributed to some officers from some bank account but going back to the treasure department and benefit all citizens...?

To fight corruption traffic cops are supposed to get a % of each ticket they write , one reason you see cops hanging around for hours on corners writing tickets and not taking bribes

[joskydive]

Police officer allegedly cheats peers out of Bt1.2 million in traffic fine rewards

CHIANG MAI: -- Some 50 traffic policemen of the Chiang Mai head office Friday field complaint against their peer, alleging him with cheating them out of Bt1.2 million in traffic fine rewards.

The policemen filed complaint against Police Senior Sergeant Major Thanawat Sinpieng, 47, at the Muang district police station.

They said Thanawat was assigned to withdraw the money of traffic fine rewards for December from the Krung Thai Bank's San Pa Khoy branch in the Muang district on December 29 but he disappeared.

The money was for sharing among 150 traffic policemen, they said.

They said Thanawat was earlier assigned to withdraw the money several times with no problem.

He has disappeared with his family.

-- The Nation 2009-01-09

At least, now we know where all fines go.

[southerndown]

So was this an account with bribe/payoff money, since surely the legally collected money wouldn't be distributed to some officers from some bank account but going back to the treasure department and benefit all citizens...?

Edit: Monthly amount of 1.2m, divided amongst 150 officers = 8k baht extra in pocket money.

The police legally get a percentage of legitimate fines paid in. This does not refer to tea money

[Scott]

It's sad when the police can't even trust the police.

[EvilDrSomkid]

1.2 mil? Wow, that is a lot of 100baht "on-the-spot fines"

[samgrowth]

Does it take a police to catch a police?

[TAWP]

So was this an account with bribe/payoff money, since surely the legally collected money wouldn't be distributed to some officers from some bank account but going back to the treasure department and benefit all citizens...?

To fight corruption traffic cops are supposed to get a % of each ticket they write , one reason you see cops hanging around for hours on corners writing tickets and not taking bribes

What you are saying is that to fight corruption with police officers taking money, they allow them to take equal amount of money even if they force the drivers to pay the full 'required' amount (at the station, not in hand). So the officers gets the same amount, the drivers pay more and the government gets more in revenue. Interesting... fighting corruption by still allowing them to take the same amount...

[southerndown]

So was this an account with bribe/payoff money, since surely the legally collected money wouldn't be distributed to some officers from some bank account but going back to the treasure department and benefit all citizens...?

Edit: Monthly amount of 1.2m, divided amongst 150 officers = 8k baht extra in pocket money.

The police legally get a percentage of legitimate fines paid in. This does not refer to tea money

Sorry, this point has already now been answered in a subsequent post

[Scott]

That's a nice chunk of change for each of them as well.

[sunray69]

Dont give more than 20 ~ 100 THB... after that I dont think any people here can be trusted when it is question of money !

[CroBiker]

Policeman robs fellow policemen.....that says it all about sorry ass state of affairs in Thai law enforcement.

As a former victim of police blackmail I have no simpathy for either of these morons.

[Scott]

I think that is 1.2 million between 50 policemen, not 150.

[sunray69]

What you are saying is that to fight corruption with police officers taking money, they allow them to take equal amount of money even if they force the drivers to pay the full 'required' amount (at the station, not in hand). So the officers gets the same amount, the drivers pay more and the government gets more in revenue. Interesting... fighting corruption by still allowing them to take the same amount...

You cant fight corruption when you pay your cops a scandalous salary !! Is this a joke ?? As en ex-cop, my state gave me a salary high enough so I did not want to be corrupted.

Do you think getting a 5000/mo to take care of a family is enough while they can make so much money easily, of course the practice is hatefull but this is life and no one can tell me the government do not know about that... I even think the government is part of that corruption deal with the police...

[IAMSOBAD]

Now I feel its better to give the 200 baht to the officer directly. It saves a tree since there is no paper used writing a ticket and only one crooked cop gets the money. Not one bad cop and an entire family that takes it and goes on the run.

MY QUESTION...Will the police go after him for breaking the law...or go after him for their share of the money?

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE PEOPLE I MET AT THE THAIVISA NEW YEARS PARTY AT LARRYS DIVE SHOP!!!

[BSJ]

Nothing that happens ever surprises me in LOS.... next!

[khunstuart]

laugh i almost fell off my seat

[kiwiman12]

maybe they should employ him as the game keeper, I'm told the best game keepers as the ex poachers !!!!

[merijn]

As already mentioned a few times, It is policy that police officers get an fixed percentage of the fines.

This is to increase there small salary with all side effects.

On Phuket it is ( if I remember correctly ) 10.000 baht a person.

This amount was increased a few years ago.

I don’t know if this is the correct way to do it but it works. You see less bribes ( openly on the streets during traffic checks ) then a few years ago.

[MisterMan]

It's sad when the police can't even trust the police.

LOL!!! Well they will just have to launch an investigation!

[Alwaysright]

Police officer allegedly cheats peers out of Bt1.2 million in traffic fine rewards

CHIANG MAI: -- Some 50 traffic policemen of the Chiang Mai head office Friday field complaint against their peer, alleging him with cheating them out of Bt1.2 million in traffic fine rewards.

The policemen filed complaint against Police Senior Sergeant Major Thanawat Sinpieng, 47, at the Muang district police station.

They said Thanawat was assigned to withdraw the money of traffic fine rewards for December from the Krung Thai Bank's San Pa Khoy branch in the Muang district on December 29 but he disappeared.

The money was for sharing among 150 traffic policemen, they said.

They said Thanawat was earlier assigned to withdraw the money several times with no problem.

He has disappeared with his family.

-- The Nation 2009-01-09

Look for him at the Casino s.

[bunnaag]

How long can he and his family live on the 1.2mio Bath?That was not very clever he will loose his job and further tea money sources.

[StevieH]

Does it take a police to catch a police?

love it. quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

[TEFLKrabi]

I believe they're entitled to pocket 50% of the "on the spot fines". Anything paid at the station goes into the "joint account". That's why the police will charge you less at the roadside (usually half) because it goes into their own pocket!

[gpdjohn]

I believe they're entitled to pocket 50% of the "on the spot fines". Anything paid at the station goes into the "joint account". That's why the police will charge you less at the roadside (usually half) because it goes into their own pocket!

Oh, I see..

Legalized corruption.

Like the other poster wrote..." Next..."

[snuggzzz]

Dear Sunray 69,

I feel for you, you must've been the only straight 'key on the ring', all those years mixing with such corruption, having to turn a blind eye; being offered, but refusing.............your comment gave me a 'tear in the eye'........

What would we do, without people like you to go about our daily lives, I can only give you thanks, not a 'bung'....!!!!

[gentman]

Should the police be rewarded for hard work and not being corrupted, yes i think so. taking into consideration that their paid is low. Fine rewards may not sound nice...but its a bonus to them for work well done provided they do it professionally. If a inspector solved lots of crimal cases, he will be promoted one day..so its the same...hard work and work hard..