PM Abhisit Points Out More Police Corruption Cases

[webfact]

Abhisit points out more police corruption cases

By The nation

BANGKOK: -- While Provincial Police Bureau 2 faces allegations of selling positions and its commander has been transferred to an inactive post, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has identified other police command centres as being involved in similar scams.

They are Provincial Police Bureaus 1 and 4, where the PM said buying positions and corruption had been reported but that the situation was not as bad as in Bureau 2.

"No evidence proving wrongdoing has come to light, but complaints have been received from officers who have been directly affected," Abhisit said.

Asked about the many similar complaints lodged by Metropolitan Police Bureau officers, he said each case would be prioritised based on its severity, while "the remaining cases" would be investigated internally by the Royal Thai Police.

Abhisit said he was giving retired Pol General Wasit Dejkunjorn the job of looking into complaints filed against Provincial Police Bureau 1, which has jurisdiction over the provinces adjacent to Bangkok, and Bureau 4, which covers the Upper Northeast, on top of investigating position-selling allegations in Bureau 2.

An internal investigation involving Provincial Police Bureau 2 began yesterday, with newly appointed commander Pol Lt-General Assawin Kwanmuang leading the probe. The investigation will, in parallel, be scrutinised by Wasit.

The investigation should be completed in two months and will decide the fate of Provincial Police Bureau 2 chief Pol Lt-General Kriangsak Suriyo, who has been moved to an inactive post pending results of a separate disciplinary investigation.

Kriangsak and a number of his close aides were seen conducting a merit-making ceremony at a temple in Chon Buri before retiring to the commander's official residence in the province, where the Police Bureau 2's headquarters are located. They refused to speak to the group of waiting reporters.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban dismissed speculation the government was behind Kriangsak's transfer and that it had interfered in the regular reshuffle of the police force.

On Friday, when the Royal Thai Police and the Police Commission hold their first monthly meeting of the year, the issue of position-selling allegations and Kriangsak's transfer will most likely be discussed.

In addition, the reshuffle of Provincial Police Bureau 2 is expected to be postponed, because Assawin is unlikely to finish revising the list put forward by Kriangsak on time.

-- The Nation 2010-02-11

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[thepodest]

It's OK

Just transfer all the corrupt cops or government officials and call it a day.

Edited February 11, 2010 by thepodest

[TAWP]

Preferably to some island far away...

[h90]

It's OK

Just transfer all the corrupt cops or government officials and call it a day.

no not a transfer or non active position.

punishment, money or jail

fire them

[selftaopath]

It's OK

Just transfer all the corrupt cops or government officials and call it a day.

YEA another day WITH PAY. LOL amazing Thailand. lolololoo

[basjke]

Just transfer all corrupt cops and government officials?

You mean that from tomorrow on EVERYONE will work at a different office?

[harrry]

Actually that may not be a bad thing.....It would break the current links and then action could be taken if new ones were formed.

Edited February 11, 2010 by harrry

[boris52]

Good work Abhisit.

Now if you went to work on all the corrupt politicians (snakes and rats) under your leadership, that would be great.

[scorecard]

Actually that may not be a bad thing.....It would break the current links and then action could be taken if new ones were formed.

Agree, if more new cases come forward this will encourage others to speak up and (to some extent) frighten those who are the instigators of this activity.

But don't assume that suddenly there will be zero corruption. This is ingrained and many police are already entagled in the web, and will never speak up:

- Because they would incriminate themselves

- Because they have already 'invested' a lot of money and they at least want their 'investment' returned.

Edited February 11, 2010 by scorecard

[Thailand]

Must have come as a shock to many to find out there is corruption in the police force, there may also be corrupt officials in other offices- maybe even government,hard to believe I know.

[SomTumTiger]

And people still want Chalerm as PM lol?

[OZEMADE]

It's OK

Just transfer all the corrupt cops or government officials and call it a day.

no not a transfer or non active position.

punishment, money or jail

fire them

Transferred to an inactive post, what's an Inactive Post.

They should be stood down without pay pending the outcome of the investigation and if found to be corrupt, be Jailed and lose all of their Superanuation and retirement benefit and if found out to be extremely corrupt have their assets taken from them, ie home, car etc etc.

If found to have done nothing resume their current position.

[theoldgit]

I wonder why they just transfer these corrupt cops to an inactive post, where they probably are still being paid, though the punishment is probably the lack of opportunity for further corruption.

They should prosecute and, if convicted, jail them - have to build more prisons though.

[visions]

(They should prosecute and, if convicted, jail them)

They have already started doing that.........Thaksin as an example.......oops I forgot...he is on the other side of the (political) fence! They even had to make up new laws to fit his so called crimes. The police at least can be prosecuted unfer their existing laws.

[elcent]

the price for getting a job at Bangrak police station was 500,000.00 15 years ago. How much is it now?

[IvanDobsky]

the price for getting a job at Bangrak police station was 500,000.00 15 years ago. How much is it now?

depends on province, level required, gratuities already paid etc.

'absolutely riddled' would be the best two words to describe the BIB. Big Toxin fans aren't they? not that the other mob are any good...

cats..pigeons..

[kiwiinasia]

Someone asked... "What is an inactive post?"

Its a post, a post is a position, the position one occupies in ones work.

Inactive is not active, this means its passive.

Which means the occupant is passively occupying the position.

Commonly such things occur in the privacy of the bedroom, but in Thailand the Public Service has lots of them.

[Phil Conners]

Kudos to PM Abhisit for stepping up to the plate and at least trying to do something about the problem. I think that's a first ever for a PM.

Edited February 12, 2010 by Phil Conners

[basjke]

Kudos to PM Abhisit for stepping up to the plate and at least trying to do something about the problem. I think that's a first ever for a PM.

I am not a Thaksin fan but while he was in power some Thai business people told me that he was modernizing the government,read computerizing,to stamp out the corruption that happened in there.And actually it was happening.

Still can't figure out if he did it to the avail of the Thai people or only because he wanted to be the only one who collected tea money.

[britmaveric]

Good work Abhisit.

Now if you went to work on all the corrupt politicians (snakes and rats) under your leadership, that would be great.

Good idea including himself.

[nam-thip]

My thoughts on being transferred to an inactive post?

It’s like having a chef in your kitchen who you catch stealing and dismiss on the spot.

The same situation in Thailand calls for a different approach in that you don’t sack the Chef instead you transfer that person to a so-called “inactive post’ like opening the door for customers to come into the restaurant or washing the dishes and cleaning the toilets.

Doing things that way allows them to “save face” from being dismissed and having to work in such a low position sometimes leads them to serve notice and quit.

Unfortunately people in high places are so hard faced they never quiet.

[shawndoc]

Transferred to an inactive post, what's an Inactive Post.

They should be stood down without pay pending the outcome of the investigation and if found to be corrupt, be Jailed and lose all of their Superanuation and retirement benefit and if found out to be extremely corrupt have their assets taken from them, ie home, car etc etc.

The writing is kinda vague, but my guess is the investigation/disciple procedure is still taking place. So until they've been found "guilty" they will continue to get pay, but not actually be working or in a position of authority. In the US its standard procedure to suspend an officer with pay until the outcome of the investigation and the disciplinary process is complete.

The reason they get paid during the process is because they have yet to be found guilty. It makes sure they don't suffer an financial harm if the allegations turn out to be false. Otherwise people would be able to make false reports on those they don't like, knowing that person would then have no income for several weeks or more likely months in Thailand.

[nam-thip]

Being transferred to an ‘inactive post’ is not a case of ‘suspended on full pay’ pending an inquiry but more a case of having sufficient evidence to dismiss that person but allowing them to ‘save face’ by transferring them to a lessor position with no criminal charges brought against them.

Saving face in Thailand is a big thing.

Once transferred the case is closed and they can occupy that post as long as they choose.

[geriatrickid]

PM Abhisit faces a serious problem: He can't do very much. If he takes even stronger actions at this stage of the political crisis he will have alienated the very people he needs to help keep the peace. What do you think the reaction will be if a police general gets busted? These generals tend to have family and friends in the military and the government.

It's easy to piss on Abhisit for his response, but he's in the same position as the PMs that came before him, including Mr. Thaksin.

The police and military have an elected government by the short hairs. Factor in who Mr. Abhisit's daddy is and you can see the fine line he has to walk. Yes, it would be wonderful if the PM could do more, but the circumstances are such that he cannot.

I fear that Thailand is at a point in its development that in order for there to be a real change, there will unfortunately have to be a complete upset of the way things are done. In other words, Thailand must pass through a stage where it gets worse before it gets better.

[seri thai]

PM Abhisit faces a serious problem: He can't do very much. If he takes even stronger actions at this stage of the political crisis he will have alienated the very people he needs to help keep the peace. What do you think the reaction will be if a police general gets busted? These generals tend to have family and friends in the military and the government.

It's easy to piss on Abhisit for his response, but he's in the same position as the PMs that came before him, including Mr. Thaksin.

The police and military have an elected government by the short hairs. Factor in who Mr. Abhisit's daddy is and you can see the fine line he has to walk. Yes, it would be wonderful if the PM could do more, but the circumstances are such that he cannot.

I fear that Thailand is at a point in its development that in order for there to be a real change, there will unfortunately have to be a complete upset of the way things are done. In other words, Thailand must pass through a stage where it gets worse before it gets better.

Anyone ignorant of the origins of the police force ( I believe dignifying it with it's full name is a lese-majeste offence) one should google up Phibulsongkram and Phao Sriyanond to learn how these two August military men divvied up the bangkok vice scene between themselves in the early 50's and how Phao got to create the para-military police force (together with nazi style uniforms and associated accoutrements (now just WHAT are those jump wings for?) That Dr Police-Colonel Shinawatra should speak of Phao as a guiding light to the nation shows just how far this country has to go to become enlightened.

Sad, very sad.

[way2muchcoffee]

PM Abhisit faces a serious problem: He can't do very much. If he takes even stronger actions at this stage of the political crisis he will have alienated the very people he needs to help keep the peace. What do you think the reaction will be if a police general gets busted? These generals tend to have family and friends in the military and the government.

It's easy to piss on Abhisit for his response, but he's in the same position as the PMs that came before him, including Mr. Thaksin.

The police and military have an elected government by the short hairs. Factor in who Mr. Abhisit's daddy is and you can see the fine line he has to walk. Yes, it would be wonderful if the PM could do more, but the circumstances are such that he cannot.

I fear that Thailand is at a point in its development that in order for there to be a real change, there will unfortunately have to be a complete upset of the way things are done. In other words, Thailand must pass through a stage where it gets worse before it gets better.

I agree. Nice and measured comment. I hope things don't have to get 'too bad' but I suspect the pain must be severe for any real change to come from it.

[BIGTOE3]

Good work Abhisit.

Now if you went to work on all the corrupt politicians (snakes and rats) under your leadership, that would be great.

Good idea including himself.

I think you are both wrong and that the PM is an Honest hard working guy who deserves a chance.

BT

[OZEMADE]

Being transferred to an 'inactive post' is not a case of 'suspended on full pay' pending an inquiry but more a case of having sufficient evidence to dismiss that person but allowing them to 'save face' by transferring them to a lessor position with no criminal charges brought against them.

Saving face in Thailand is a big thing.

Once transferred the case is closed and they can occupy that post as long as they choose.

Until things quiten down and then they are bought back. Have you ever noticed that there is never a follow up in the media over any of these cases, they are kept quiet.