Police Fighting A Losing Battle.

[soundman]

Police 'fighting a losing battle'

Crime involving foreigners is rising.

By: Wassayos Ngamkham

Published: 16/03/2009 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

Foreigners from nearly 50 countries are exploiting the Land of Smiles to make smiles of their own with money and assets they reap from plundering Thai victims.

Street pilfering by Cambodians and Vietnamese, the hacking of ATM card information by Malaysian gangs and robberies in luxury hotels by Pakistanis and Iranians are among nine criminal types categorised by Phanthana Nutchanart, an investigator with the Transnational Crime Coordination Centre. The agency is controlled by the Central Investigation Bureau.

Pol Lt-Col Phanthana's team has been assigned to track these transnational criminals after at least three cases, allegedly committed by foreigners, have been reported in the past two weeks.

Police have identified suspects in these crimes, but with so many cases to deal with, some officers fear they are fighting a losing battle.

Blaming a lack of international cooperation to share criminal records, Pol Lt-Col Phanthana said there was little hope to catch criminals unless better joint efforts among police in each country were established.

Thai police realised how serious the transnational crime problem was when they searched for clues in ATM-related crimes, which used sophisticated technology.

Investigations into gold and cash robberies also highlighted the extent of the problem.

During one case, on March 9, police managed to identify an Argentine man suspected of stealing from vehicles at car parks. Markos Saimon Bacili, 24, was alleged to have followed a gold and jewellery businessman to his car before accosting the victim and making off with gold and cash worth 4 million baht.

The man was later arrested at a Pattaya beach in Chon Buri, police said.

An earlier case involved a Taiwanese gang allegedly colluding with a Thai man in a tax refund scam.

The Department of Special Investigation later released a report that revealed Malaysian gangs were the prime suspects in ATM card fraud.

The DSI said the gangs install fake card slots at ATMs. Card holders' information is then stolen by tiny skimmers inside the slots and small cameras hidden above can record people entering their PINs.

Pol Lt-Col Phanthana also warned tourists at luxury hotels about Iranians and Pakistanis who disguise themselves as guests to steal from mostly wealthy victims.

He said hotel room safes were not always safe as these criminals were skilled at opening them, he said.

"All of these crimes have occurred in countries worldwide," said Pol Lt-Col Phanthana, especially in tourist areas.

He admitted it was an uphill job to crack down on these gangs which he said had spread to nearly 50 countries. The task could not be only done by Thai police, he stressed.

While many police are hoping for the introduction of a law to ensure foreigners who commit crimes in Thailand are prosecuted here, his team have at least paved the way for further investigation by identifying nine types of transnational crime.

Article.

[neverdie]

He admitted it was an uphill job to crack down on these gangs which he said had spread to nearly 50 countries. The task could not be only done by Thai police, he stressed.

Surely hes not stupid enough to think only 'Thai' Police are targeting these types of crimes?

[dave_boo]

When the tourist industry goes bad blame the foreigner. When a foreigner is killed, blame the foreigner. Do whatever it takes to shift anything that could place the blame at a local's feet away.....

[PhilHarries]

Amazing! Considering all the Brit bashing that goes on on this forum we only rank bottom place in one category. The French are league leaders in two categories and mid table in a third and nobody bashes them (well we Brits do but that's a historical thing and done in the best possible taste).

Even the Russkies, with all their mafia stuff, are only a couple of places above the relegation zone and only for fake credit cards.

As with most things in Thailand there is some truth in there somewhere. As has been said, anything that deflects the blame on to others is a worthy enterprise.

[Thai at Heart]

Or could it be that the word has gone around that the BIB are either bribeable or inept so the Land of Smiles is a rather handy crime magnet in the sunshine?

[dave_boo]

Amazing! Considering all the Brit bashing that goes on on this forum we only rank bottom place in one category. The French are league leaders in two categories and mid table in a third and nobody bashes them (well we Brits do but that's a historical thing and done in the best possible taste).

Even the Russkies, with all their mafia stuff, are only a couple of places above the relegation zone and only for fake credit cards.

As with most things in Thailand there is some truth in there somewhere. As has been said, anything that deflects the blame on to others is a worthy enterprise.

And you'll notice that the US isn't listed...except for our bank notes being counterfeited....wonder if that's because we're such upstanding citizens (contrary to the apparent general consensus!) or if we're under-represented in the expat population?

Oh, and with only "at least three cases, allegedly committed by foreigners, have been reported in the past two weeks" how are the police fighting a losing battle? That means that if the numbers stay constant, and they're under-reported by ~1/2, in the course of a year there's ~104 cases commited by foreigners. How are the police fighting a losing battle? Is 104, which could be a worst case scenario, out of over 14 000 000 (meaning that 0.00074% of the visitors) visitors commiting crime going to overwhelm a police force of an entire nation? Here's a hint for the glorious police, try browsing this website if your gumshoe approach isn't working: INTERPOL!

Edited March 16, 2009 by dave_boo

[Chang_paarp]

Police have identified suspects in these crimes, but with so many cases to deal with, some officers fear they are fighting a losing battle.

Blaming a lack of international cooperation to share criminal records, Pol Lt-Col Phanthana said there was little hope to catch criminals unless better joint efforts among police in each country were established.

Thai police realised how serious the transnational crime problem was when they searched for clues in ATM-related crimes, which used sophisticated technology.

Unfortunately the words competant and honest are rarely used in the same breath as Thai Police. This gives great disinsentive to share information, lest it is passed on to the wrong people. Were the RTP to adderess the the reality as well as the perception of the compentancy and honesty of their officers they might find doors magically open in the mean time life will continue to be tough. They might also find that the clean-up rate would incrrase as a result, without external assistance.

[yumidesign]

as usual you can always get a giggle from the BK Post on any given day........

Pol Lt-Col Phanthana's team has been assigned to track these transnational criminals after at least three cases, allegedly committed by foreigners, have been reported in the past two weeks.

wow three in two weeks this is an epidemic

and the list of dangers gives singapore as a drug threat.... oh please

[Seneque]

''The French are league leaders in two categories and mid table in a third and nobody bashes them ...''

You did bashed them in rugby last night ! ... and deservely so ...

[venturalaw]

Amazing! Considering all the Brit bashing that goes on on this forum we only rank bottom place in one category. The French are league leaders in two categories and mid table in a third and nobody bashes them (well we Brits do but that's a historical thing and done in the best possible taste).

Even the Russkies, with all their mafia stuff, are only a couple of places above the relegation zone and only for fake credit cards.

As with most things in Thailand there is some truth in there somewhere. As has been said, anything that deflects the blame on to others is a worthy enterprise.

And you'll notice that the US isn't listed...except for our bank notes being counterfeited....wonder if that's because we're such upstanding citizens (contrary to the apparent general consensus!) or if we're under-represented in the expat population?

Oh, and with only "at least three cases, allegedly committed by foreigners, have been reported in the past two weeks" how are the police fighting a losing battle? That means that if the numbers stay constant, and they're under-reported by ~1/2, in the course of a year there's ~104 cases commited by foreigners. How are the police fighting a losing battle? Is 104, which could be a worst case scenario, out of over 14 000 000 (meaning that 0.00074% of the visitors) visitors commiting crime going to overwhelm a police force of an entire nation? Here's a hint for the glorious police, try browsing this website if your gumshoe approach isn't working: INTERPOL!

Good to finally see something positive about the US on Thaivisa.com. So much US bashing after a while it's tiring.

[robbiecia]

Or could it be that the word has gone around that the BIB are either bribeable or inept so the Land of Smiles is a rather handy crime magnet in the sunshine?

spot on!!!!!!!!!

[Thai at Heart]

''The French are league leaders in two categories and mid table in a third and nobody bashes them ...''

You did bashed them in rugby last night ! ... and deservely so ...

It's alphabetically listed.

[silverhawk_usa]

Amazing! Considering all the Brit bashing that goes on on this forum we only rank bottom place in one category. The French are league leaders in two categories and mid table in a third and nobody bashes them (well we Brits do but that's a historical thing and done in the best possible taste).

Even the Russkies, with all their mafia stuff, are only a couple of places above the relegation zone and only for fake credit cards.

As with most things in Thailand there is some truth in there somewhere. As has been said, anything that deflects the blame on to others is a worthy enterprise.

...or could this be due to the fact that each category is listed in alphabetical order??

[PhilHarries]

Amazing! Considering all the Brit bashing that goes on on this forum we only rank bottom place in one category. The French are league leaders in two categories and mid table in a third and nobody bashes them (well we Brits do but that's a historical thing and done in the best possible taste).

Even the Russkies, with all their mafia stuff, are only a couple of places above the relegation zone and only for fake credit cards.

As with most things in Thailand there is some truth in there somewhere. As has been said, anything that deflects the blame on to others is a worthy enterprise.

...or could this be due to the fact that each category is listed in alphabetical order??

Spoilsport

The Brits still only feature in one listing but then "transnational crimes" don't include drunk and disorderly.

[Jungian]

Should I be insulted as an American we didn't even make the list!

[skiman1]

evil foreigners spoiling Thailand again !

[thaiman]

When the tourist industry goes bad blame the foreigner. When a foreigner is killed, blame the foreigner. Do whatever it takes to shift anything that could place the blame at a local's feet away.....

Of course! Thais could never be wrong or commit fault.

[hardy1943]

When the tourist industry goes bad blame the foreigner. When a foreigner is killed, blame the foreigner. Do whatever it takes to shift anything that could place the blame at a local's feet away.....

Exactly, Bloomberg has named Thailand as most corrupt country in Asia for the last several years.

Enough said.

[Thai at Heart]

Indeed, I do wish the BIB would simply focus properly on crime of which 99% is domestic in origin.

These kinds of statements are probably only uttered to give the Bangkok Post or Nation a headline to make it appear that the sleuths are hot on the trail of these dastardly international criminal masterminds running credit card scams and preying on the poor unsuspecting Thai population.

Meanwhile ask any Thai if he will pay with a credit card for his petrol at any station other than PTT?

I wonder how Argentinians, Iranians or Pakistani visitors there are in the country at any one time.

Pol Lt-Col Phanmany also warned tourists at luxury hotels about Iranians and Pakistanis who disguise themselves as guests to steal from mostly wealthy victims.

Those cunning thieves hoodwinking reception into making them believe they are guests. ID sir to go with that key? And that is after all the messing around to photocopy passports at check in!!! I wonder if they even cunningly ditched their traditional dress to disguise their identity.

He said hotel room safes were not always safe as these criminals were skilled at opening them, he said.

And one does wonder where they got the key for the room in the first place? These dastardly foreign criminals marching through luxury hotel lobbies, getting hold of keys they should never get hold of, walking through corridors probably with CCTV, jemmying open useless hotel safes and absconding from the premises without so much as a single clue left behind.

Is it by any chance an inside job m'lord?

[Gary A]

I had some things including a new mobile phone stolen from my room in Jomtien. The new European owner called me a liar and told me the he had no thieves working in HIS hotel. I then told him that I had absolutely no hopes of getting my things back but that I thought he might like to know. Obviously he didn't want to know. I hope that his thieves steal enough from him to make him go broke. Its too bad stupidity isn't painful.

[IraqRon]

A simplistic solution would be to just cut off the visas/permission to stay stamps for certain nationalities. After all, what is an Argentine doing in Thailand anyway. Of course, if the immigration folks get stricter they will just end up screwing the good guys/gals.

[DP25]

And you'll notice that the US isn't listed...except for our bank notes being counterfeited....wonder if that's because we're such upstanding citizens (contrary to the apparent general consensus!) or if we're under-represented in the expat population?

Americans definitely are under represented in the expat population. But, I wonder if they would include the US on a list like this regardless. The Thais have been trying for years to get off of, or improved ranking, on various US made lists, like the copyright infringement list.

[Scott]

When times are tough, the easiest thing is to blame foreigners and immigrants. I think that is the overall point of this article.

[jamesjdaly]

Or could it be that the word has gone around that the BIB are either bribeable or inept so the Land of Smiles is a rather handy crime magnet in the sunshine?

Hear, hear. Well said that man!!

Why does Thailand attract all the human dross for their nasty little perversions and crimes? IS IT because the police here are so corrupt and easily bribed? Think so.

Edited March 16, 2009 by jamesjdaly

[Alwaysright]

Amazing! Considering all the Brit bashing that goes on on this forum we only rank bottom place in one category. The French are league leaders in two categories and mid table in a third and nobody bashes them (well we Brits do but that's a historical thing and done in the best possible taste).

Even the Russkies, with all their mafia stuff, are only a couple of places above the relegation zone and only for fake credit cards.

As with most things in Thailand there is some truth in there somewhere. As has been said, anything that deflects the blame on to others is a worthy enterprise.

The USA isn't even listed.

[TPI]

Or could it be that the word has gone around that the BIB are either bribeable or inept so the Land of Smiles is a rather handy crime magnet in the sunshine?

Hear, hear. Well said that man!!

Why does Thailand attract all the human dross for their nasty little perversions and crimes? IS IT because the police here are so corrupt and easily bribed? Think so.

Cruel, cruel man...most of these little fat men are riding around on their motorbikes collecting "fuel money" from the red boxes...it's the "detectives" that really reap the rewards, think of the service these men give their country, if they weren't getting into us ferang they'd be stealing from their compatriots. After all, what other purpose do we have here? If not to enrich the population!

[Oberkommando]

Wasn't it the UN that called the Royal Thai Police an organised criminal gang?

[henryalleman]

Its the same passport holders for exactly the same crime as we see in Europe. Its the African, Roumanian and Russian gangs we know oh so well.

And do notice I use the word Passport holder and not nationals. Because we know very well in Europe that when somebody have an UK or French passport its not meaning that it is his country of birth.

In belgium we have gangs who come across the border from Northern France to commit robberies and drug trafficking.

And yes they have an French passport but their place of birth is Algeria or Morocco. I would not be surprise that most of the bandits holding an UK passport their birth country is Nigeria or some other ex British colony.

Because obtaining the French, British, Dutch or belgian nationality is as easy as buying a newspaper.

Edited March 16, 2009 by henryalleman

[Briggsy]

The Thai Police issue a press statement shifting attention from their own incompetence to the fact that foreign criminals operate here.

The domestic audience having known nothing but institutionalised racism, disguised as patriotism, since Prathom 1 will lap it up.

Some basic detection training instead of forcing confessions out of people by beating or by threatening to hold them without charge for 84 days might produce more accurate information and thus results. As would the sharing of information between different police stations never mind government departments.

By their own lack of discipline, training and operational effectiveness, they themselves have created an environment in which criminals can operate easily.

[candoman89]

Latest news from the Farang Crime Co-ordination Division

Pol. Lt. Col Phantom Wrongwaysaporn has released the following statistics for Crimes Against Thais by different organizations:

Murdering Thai People in Crackdown on Drugs

Police Force by authority of Government

Killing of Thai Minorities

Police force

Army

Navy

Exploitation of Women and Refugees for Prostitution and Human Trafficking

Police Force

Army

Influencial People

Stealing from State Coffers

Insert name of politician here

Violation of Intellectual Property Rights

Almost everybody

Cutting off arms of Karaoke Singers

Drunk Police officer(s) and their friends

Shooting of unarmed foreigners in "self defence"

Police

Arresting and imprisoning innocent Thais to extort money

Police

Pol Lt-Col Phantom's team has been assigned to track these national criminals. Police know the identities of these criminals but have been paid too much to do nothing or are scared of being killed if they actually arrest or even question suspects (in some rare instances the police are too lazy to actually do anything Lt. Phantom admitted).

Blaming a lack of integrity, enthusiasm and not enough money in it for them, Pol Lt-Col Phantom said there was little hope to catch criminals unless somebody offers them a better deal.

Thai police don't care how serious the national crime problem is and haven't a clue how to use sophisticated technology to assist them.

Pol Lt-Col Phantom also warned tourists at all hotels about house keepers, managers, maintenance staff who use their pass keys to enter into hotel rooms and open the "in-room 'un'safes" with special pass keys and steal money and valuables. He warns tourists that absolutely nothing will be done by the police as they are being paid off by the hotel owners to do nothing.

Many police are hoping for the introduction of a law to ensure foreigners cannot complain about useless police action in Thailand. His team have at least paved the way for further investigation by identifying nine types of national crime that so far have gone unexploited by Thai Police; he hopes that they do better in the future.