Thai Tourist Police Nationwide May Be Transferred Out Of The Police Force

[softgeorge]

"transferred" does that mean they will be stationed somewhere else are is the program that has supplied (Thanks to their language abilities and familiarity with Thailand, the foreign volunteers provide invaluable assistance in dealing with compatriots who face problems during their stays here, Capt Torpan said.) this invaluable service will be deleted? Is this a too good to be true scenario? The tourist police are so good that we don't believe it and therefore have to delete it. I just don't think the Thai people like competition, and that's why we can't work here. in order to work here we would have to be obviously inferior such as one from Burma or Laos. What a weird article!

The article is perfectly clear if you bother to read it properly and on the premise you understand the English language.

Softgeorge; Just because the farangs speak 18 languages between them doesn't mean they speak 18 languages so you may well not have someone trying to help you who speaks your language. I'm sure he must have felt helpless about the situation. That someone is trying to help should be appreciated not denigrated.

As far as other crass/pathetic posters are concerned the writers obviously have nothing else to do and maybe even think they're being funny. Setting up an idiots forum so they can post stupid comments to each other all day may be a good idea for them. Perhaps they can charter an aircraft and leave Thailand for good.

I was not denigrating him I just accepted the fact that there was a language barrier said, Thank You and went on my way. Got help from a thai. I do believe tho that they should have something on thier uniforms which depicts what laguage they speak. Just a name tag that says Zulu speaking, english, french, timorese or what ever would make it easier.

[Digicat]

Annon, welcome to the Internet... You must be new.

[travelmann]

That will help with bringing down the crime statistics. They are not really needed now as the Royal Thai Police have transfered thier responsiblities to the girls behind the counter at 7 Eleven.

Yeah and maybe you can buy payment vouchers for the jet ski scam at the same time so as not to inconvenience you later having to find a cashpoint machine, yes I can see this working well.

[lungmi]

"transferred" does that mean they will be stationed somewhere else are is the program that has supplied (Thanks to their language abilities and familiarity with Thailand, the foreign volunteers provide invaluable assistance in dealing with compatriots who face problems during their stays here, Capt Torpan said.) this invaluable service will be deleted? Is this a too good to be true scenario? The tourist police are so good that we don't believe it and therefore have to delete it. I just don't think the Thai people like competition, and that's why we can't work here. in order to work here we would have to be obviously inferior such as one from Burma or Laos. What a weird article!

The article is perfectly clear if you bother to read it properly and on the premise you understand the English language.

Softgeorge; Just because the farangs speak 18 languages between them doesn't mean they speak 18 languages so you may well not have someone trying to help you who speaks your language. I'm sure he must have felt helpless about the situation. That someone is trying to help should be appreciated not denigrated.

As far as other crass/pathetic posters are concerned the writers obviously have nothing else to do and maybe even think they're being funny. Setting up an idiots forum so they can post stupid comments to each other all day may be a good idea for them. Perhaps they can charter an aircraft and leave Thailand for good.

I have good experience with the Tourist Police. Yes, there is some "corruption"., but not more than the lubrifiant for your car. Look around in farangs restaurants, speak about problems with the owner, take information --- and have free food. The owners can give information to farang with problems to what officer they can go to

explain their problems. I can not generalize it, but it's my experience.

[sirchai]

Just another crazy , mind boggling statement.

Surely Tourist Police , means help for Farangs , so maybe the local police see another opportunity for additional income perhaps.................

What a stupid idea , so who will teach the police how to speak multi lingual ????????????????

Going another step backwards in 2011.............. Amazing Thailand !!!!

While in Phuket, they were greeted by local police officers and members of the local Volunteer Tourist Police led by Patong-based entrepreneur Claude de Crissey.

Had no idea that they've got frogs down there in Phuket. You'll never stop to learn.....:jap:

[elektrified]

"transferred" does that mean they will be stationed somewhere else are is the program that has supplied (Thanks to their language abilities and familiarity with Thailand, the foreign volunteers provide invaluable assistance in dealing with compatriots who face problems during their stays here, Capt Torpan said.) this invaluable service will be deleted? Is this a too good to be true scenario? The tourist police are so good that we don't believe it and therefore have to delete it. I just don't think the Thai people like competition, and that's why we can't work here. in order to work here we would have to be obviously inferior such as one from Burma or Laos. What a weird article!

So are you saying that that people from Myanmar or Laos are 'obviously inferior' to you?

[sirchai]

"transferred" does that mean they will be stationed somewhere else are is the program that has supplied (Thanks to their language abilities and familiarity with Thailand, the foreign volunteers provide invaluable assistance in dealing with compatriots who face problems during their stays here, Capt Torpan said.) this invaluable service will be deleted? Is this a too good to be true scenario? The tourist police are so good that we don't believe it and therefore have to delete it. I just don't think the Thai people like competition, and that's why we can't work here. in order to work here we would have to be obviously inferior such as one from Burma or Laos. What a weird article!

The article is perfectly clear if you bother to read it properly and on the premise you understand the English language.

Softgeorge; Just because the farangs speak 18 languages between them doesn't mean they speak 18 languages so you may well not have someone trying to help you who speaks your language. I'm sure he must have felt helpless about the situation. That someone is trying to help should be appreciated not denigrated.

As far as other crass/pathetic posters are concerned the writers obviously have nothing else to do and maybe even think they're being funny. Setting up an idiots forum so they can post stupid comments to each other all day may be a good idea for them. Perhaps they can charter an aircraft and leave Thailand for good.

I have good experience with the Tourist Police. Yes, there is some "corruption"., but not more than the lubrifiant for your car. Look around in farangs restaurants, speak about problems with the owner, take information --- and have free food. The owners can give information to farang with problems to what officer they can go to

explain their problems. I can not generalize it, but it's my experience.

I think they should use the guy with his Hummer again. Special forces for people with special needs.

You've got 'good' experience with them and their corruption is similar to lubrificational automobiles. Speak around Farlang raaan ahaans mee pann haa maak, ginn ahaaan, lao ,bia free duai?

The official can conduct information about non existing problems to create some to have fun. Your experience generously saying is breathtaking. Sayonara.:jap:

[Tonto21]

Dude I am Russian, Do they give you guns or at least lasers?

I can't wait to zap half of you drunken f*****tards.

Sorry Russian Dude, no gun or “lasers” for you, (probably kill your own drunken ass accidently) But, you would be an assist to the volunteer force, with your horrendous Russian fashion sense…..You could stop traffic, Dude, or just make people feel better about themselves….by looking at your hair cut! Later Dude!

[Udox]

When the Farang Tourist police scheme started, it was policy that a farang would tag along with the Thai full time officers and be there if a farang was in trouble or needed any assistance. Now it seems that there are 'Rambo' type farangs patrolling with other farangs (only) and trying to look like they own the place - its embarrassing to see some of them strutting around like SWAT officers, and in the case in Pattaya, driving golf buggy's with red and blue flashing lights on the top

How many of them are fluent in Thai? - otherwise whats the use of being there?

I talked with one in an immigration office recently - and he couldn't understand English and I had to ask 3 times for what I wanted and he insisted on 'helping' me with my form filling which ended up full of spelling mistakes and crossed out words - what can I say ?

And whats the use to have a Tourist police station in the most remote location of a city - both in Pattaya and Phuket - the Tourist Police station should surely be located on the beach front area - and easily visible and accesssible, Thats hardly the case in these two cities. But useful for the staff to hide away playing games, sleeping and drinking. How many tourists know where or how to find one of these 'Tourist Police' - should they need it to settle a dispute or something ?

The George Michael music video a few years ago showing George Bush and Tony Blair - springs to mind when summing up the TPV's

'Good Puppy'

The regular police seem to do a fine job of chatting in English with tourists when they pull them over at the roadside - is there a real need for a seperate 'Tourist Police' ?

[rkidlad]

"transferred" does that mean they will be stationed somewhere else are is the program that has supplied (Thanks to their language abilities and familiarity with Thailand, the foreign volunteers provide invaluable assistance in dealing with compatriots who face problems during their stays here, Capt Torpan said.) this invaluable service will be deleted? Is this a too good to be true scenario? The tourist police are so good that we don't believe it and therefore have to delete it. I just don't think the Thai people like competition, and that's why we can't work here. in order to work here we would have to be obviously inferior such as one from Burma or Laos. What a weird article!

The article is perfectly clear if you bother to read it properly and on the premise you understand the English language.

Softgeorge; Just because the farangs speak 18 languages between them doesn't mean they speak 18 languages so you may well not have someone trying to help you who speaks your language. I'm sure he must have felt helpless about the situation. That someone is trying to help should be appreciated not denigrated.

As far as other crass/pathetic posters are concerned the writers obviously have nothing else to do and maybe even think they're being funny. Setting up an idiots forum so they can post stupid comments to each other all day may be a good idea for them. Perhaps they can charter an aircraft and leave Thailand for good.

Stop with the negative threads! They make me feel sad

[IanForbes]

I've personally seen several occasions when Tourist Police in Chiang Mai aided people who were having problems. None were the type of issues that makes for good newspaper stuff, but valuable just the same. I hope they are not totally disbanded. It would be a shame. Maybe, as someone suggested, the Tourist Police out perform the real police when it comes to actual important stuff... like helping people instead of hindering them for profit.

[Digicat]

Dude I am Russian, Do they give you guns or at least lasers?

I can't wait to zap half of you drunken f*****tards.

Sorry Russian Dude, no gun or "lasers" for you, (probably kill your own drunken ass accidently) But, you would be an assist to the volunteer force, with your horrendous Russian fashion sense…..You could stop traffic, Dude, or just make people feel better about themselves….by looking at your hair cut! Later Dude!

I said "lasers" on purpose... it's called being facetious. But thanks for being asinine

[exbelg]

wait, how many times did they really help jetsky scammed tourist, near to 0, right ?

[pauljones]

For 20 years, they have not been able to spot the tourist mafia at the front gate to the Grand Palace....

Dozens of tourists scammed there every day but they don't seem to notice....they are too busy filling out the 'scammed tourist' reports at their office out on Petburi rd...

[Digicat]

For 20 years, they have not been able to spot the tourist mafia at the front gate to the Grand Palace....

Dozens of tourists scammed there every day but they don't seem to notice....they are too busy filling out the 'scammed tourist' reports at their office out on Petburi rd...

That's a good point. Those guys are hilarious I talk to them in Thai and they still try to tell me that the temple is closed. I offer them to walk me to the gate for 1000 baht. If the temple is closed they keep it, if not they pay Thai price for my admission. So far... NO takers. Sigh.

lasers pew pew pew

[OZEMADE]

Tea money getting a bit thin. Get rid of the Tourist Police leaves more for the BIB.

[blackthorn2005]

Really they waste the time of the tourist. They will usually tell you everything you hope to hear, and then after escorting you to the Royal Thai Police, you will just have to explain everything all over again, as to what your problem is or the situation you're dealing with. Translation is what they are doing.....? Hmm, not so sure about that either, at least not the Thai Tourist Police. Speaking from experience, they have never helped me with anything other than pretend to be listening to me,

while they played their Sony Playstation, honestly a real joke, and that was in Hua Hin. I do think on the other hand that the foreigners that volunteer are helpful to stand in and help us understand why the police want money from us for breaking the law, or causing disturbance in public area's, or what is going to happen to us, once we are transported to the police station. But the Thai Police love to beat on foreigners when no one is looking, so watch your back if you do find yourself dealing with them, again speaking from personal experience in Hua Hin, where I lived for six years.

" the police want money from us for breaking the law, or causing disturbance in public area's"

You do the crime, you pay the fine. Maybe you have gone home now where the police allow criminals to go unpunished, must be a lovely lawless place..

[blackthorn2005]

wait, how many times did they really help jetsky scammed tourist, near to 0, right ?

On Patong Beach, every time their help is sought. The problem is many people do not know the Tourist Police Volunteer Centre is located on Thaweewong Road, next to the Immigration Office.

Where do you carry out your research, from the edge of a bar stool?

[ginjag]

I've personally seen several occasions when Tourist Police in Chiang Mai aided people who were having problems. None were the type of issues that makes for good newspaper stuff, but valuable just the same. I hope they are not totally disbanded. It would be a shame. Maybe, as someone suggested, the Tourist Police out perform the real police when it comes to actual important stuff... like helping people instead of hindering them for profit.

Keep them on, They fill the ginormous gap between the tourist and the bib. I would suggest , Tourist Security and Information, This is there strongpoint. the downside is people get a feeling they have to answer to big brother, and then the tourist will say---""Oh it's o.k. never mind, leave it sorry to bother you""

I have to say they are welcome, If I am honest they dont give me the reassurance that they will sort out everything for me, without the police, To be seen by tourists they give the general feeling that you can relax ( This is to the normal holiday person) not us old whingers/ex pats that criticise things that need to be addressed for the good future of the kingdom. The ex pat bashers are the ones that see the bad and turn the other way, instead of speaking out a bit to improve the job.

[blackthorn2005]

"transferred" does that mean they will be stationed somewhere else are is the program that has supplied (Thanks to their language abilities and familiarity with Thailand, the foreign volunteers provide invaluable assistance in dealing with compatriots who face problems during their stays here, Capt Torpan said.) this invaluable service will be deleted? Is this a too good to be true scenario? The tourist police are so good that we don't believe it and therefore have to delete it. I just don't think the Thai people like competition, and that's why we can't work here. in order to work here we would have to be obviously inferior such as one from Burma or Laos. What a weird article!

The article is perfectly clear if you bother to read it properly and on the premise you understand the English language.

Softgeorge; Just because the farangs speak 18 languages between them doesn't mean they speak 18 languages so you may well not have someone trying to help you who speaks your language. I'm sure he must have felt helpless about the situation. That someone is trying to help should be appreciated not denigrated.

As far as other crass/pathetic posters are concerned the writers obviously have nothing else to do and maybe even think they're being funny. Setting up an idiots forum so they can post stupid comments to each other all day may be a good idea for them. Perhaps they can charter an aircraft and leave Thailand for good.

I was not denigrating him I just accepted the fact that there was a language barrier said, Thank You and went on my way. Got help from a thai. I do believe tho that they should have something on thier uniforms which depicts what laguage they speak. Just a name tag that says Zulu speaking, english, french, timorese or what ever would make it easier.

The Tourist Police Foreign Volunteers in Phuket have small flags on their uniform shirts, that denote their nationality and the languages they speak.

[craigt3365]

On derogatory remark and a few associated replies were removed from view. Sorry to the members who had posted replies.

Please stay on topic and not be derogatory towards Thailand. :jap:

[EyesWideOpen]

My god , who will assist the jet ski scammers to add an aura of officialdom to the scam?? Guess they will have to dress up one of their cohorts in a phony uniform.

I was in the Pattaya police station to pay a ticket. I politely asked one of the farang police volunteers which window to pay at. Guess they are a bit drunk with power, as he actually grabbed my arm and tried to push me in the right direction. I looked him in the eye and told him to release my arm before I broke his......Fortunately for him common sense kicked in and he let go. :-)

And to the Thai apologists, no I am not going back home. You guys make me laugh....If a Thai person moved to America, started complaining about something in America, then his American friends told him he should go back to Thailand, he would think his friends were nuts....

[Tonto21]

Dude I am Russian, Do they give you guns or at least lasers?

I can't wait to zap half of you drunken f*****tards.

Sorry Russian Dude, no gun or "lasers" for you, (probably kill your own drunken ass accidently) But, you would be an assist to the volunteer force, with your horrendous Russian fashion sense…..You could stop traffic, Dude, or just make people feel better about themselves….by looking at your hair cut! Later Dude!

I said "lasers" on purpose... it's called being facetious. But thanks for being asinine

Hi Digicat….chill Dude! At what point in my post did I say you spelt 'lasers' wrong? By the way, your reply said you were being facetious…..Not true, you were trying to be facetious; I think you missed the mark. As for the word, asinine, that describes your second sentence very well. Laters Russian dude!

Edited March 24, 2011 by Tonto21

[Pib]

As a former police volunteer who has directly assisted foreign tourists in a range of situations (car/bike accidents, mental illness, totally drunk/unable to remember hotel), drug-taking etc etc), I can assure you that there are numerous instances where the police volunteers assist, but such 'good news' is considered 'no news' as far as the media is concerned.

Simon

Simon,

What the process and requirements to become a police volunteer/tourist police? Thanks.

Pib

[Rimmer]

'Clever Dick' troll post removed

[Randee]

Dude I am Russian, Do they give you guns or at least lasers?

I can't wait to zap half of you drunken f*****tards.

A mad Russian running around Thailand with a gun umm could end up in another story.

Don't forget LASERS!

i'm kind've getting insight why you had to get out of russia and escape to thailand

[kissrev1]

Granted, I have lived in LOS for four years, but I learned rudimentary Thai, and on many occasions, actively engaged the regular police. Forget the tourist police. You would be amazed how little effort it took and the benefits I gained by taking care of myself. Also, I knew better than to put myself in a dangerous situations. I familiarized myself with the laws, as well as the trigger behaviors that garnered unwanted attention, and never had any serious problems. As an expat, or as a traveler, a person must act to protect his or her self by being informed and self-aware.

[hardy1943]

Just another crazy , mind boggling statement.

Surely Tourist Police , means help for Farangs , so maybe the local police see another opportunity for additional income perhaps.................

What a stupid idea , so who will teach the police how to speak multi lingual ????????????????

Going another step backwards in 2011.............. Amazing Thailand !!!!

I figured that was coming next. Lets give their regular mafia police a complete free hand.

Was just shook down from them close to my house. They claimed they could not speak English

but knew this well

" You Give Me Money do not worry " Then told me we are looking for drugs. I am 68 years old I told them I do not like drugs but they must.

They understood!!! After figuring out I was not intimidated by them they say " Sorry" What a joke they are to say the least.

[southbot]

I dunno, maybe I am reading it wrong but it reads to me to be simply saying that some government body OTHER than the Royal Thai Police Force would be considered to manage the Tourist Police.<div><br></div><div>This does not mean disbanding the tourist police, just that management and organisation of them would be done by some other department.</div><div><br></div><div>I don't see WHY they need to do this, maybe just to keep a bunch of pen pushers and committee junkies in work?</div><div><br></div><div>Whatever, seems to me some folks read it as DISBANDING TOURIST POLICE while I simply read it as REORGANIZING TOURIST POLICE MAYBE UNNECESSARILY ??</div><div><br></div><div>Whatever... good read nonetheless ;-)</div><div><br></div><div>'ave a nice day now, y'hear?</div><div><br></div><div><br> </div>

[Colabamumbai]

So there are more Russian tourists in Thailand than that other nationalities...or just not enough Russian tourist police? I guess that is normal, as they seem to go where crime is easy and where they can take over various elements of the underworld, and not be bothered by police. Pattaya Thailand, Goa India and where else?? Any Russians like to reply to this..Do you think that the increase in Russian visitors to Thailand is because they enjoy the beaches? Think again....<br>Lets turn it over to another agency, may I suggest the DSI.

Edited March 24, 2011 by Colabamumbai