Well, if democracy doesn't work on local levels, maybe they should try national instead - those feudals can't control national politics.

Maybe there should be greater separation and locally elected MPs should have less influence on national affairs/government.

Currently the push is to have more MPs in the government, though.

The same researchers also found, after a five year exhaustive study, that fish need water to survive.

I am sure those same researchers ate very well

during this successful research project too.

The same researchers also found, after a five year exhaustive study, that fish need water to survive.

Also that bears have sometimes been known to defecate in the woods.

One wonders what level-of-corruption would be acceptable ?

Well, if democracy doesn't work on local levels, maybe they should try national instead - those feudals can't control national politics.

Maybe there should be greater separation and locally elected MPs should have less influence on national affairs/government.

Currently the push is to have more MPs in the government, though.

The feudals tend to be the MPs at national level or if not then their cousins or their proxies. The whole thing is a mess. Some say with time it will evolve if left alone. Some say it needs immediate and urgent overhaul. Ho hum. It is all power games anyway. Even in advanced western countries polticians love their power and games although the electorate tend to be better informed and other check institutions tend to be stronger and more independent of control by politicos.

And this comes as a Surprise to Whom???

Let's see, they want people to report the "Bribes" requested / suggested by the Police to whom?? And then who is going to protect you from those that you reported???

This problem in Thailand starts at the Top and goes all the way down with most Goverment Officials and Offices, unforturnately there is little chance that anyone can come up with a way to stop or even reduce it...

Pianoman

There is a fairly good and honest ant-corruption department here in NS. And they do crack down on the corruption they find. Problem is, they do not get many reports of corruption and most of what they find themselves are false claims for expenses and similar items.

That coming from someone who works there.

Seems to me that most Thai people accept the corruption as part of the way of life, even down to the 20 Baht to report a lost item to the police.

What the departments are like in other areas, I would not like to speculate.

I am shocked by this news and now feel I must return to the UK where police are honest and politicians have the public's best interests at heart.

And who got paid off to get this study contract ?

This thread is relevant to the British Couple extortion story.

Hope some reporters do a thorough follow up and nail these Police.

Tourism cannot take any more bad news like this.