3,000 Police Forswear Corruption At Suan Phlu

[george]

3,000 police forswear corruption

BANGKOK: -- To mark Police Day yesterday, about 3,000 immigration police officers took an oath against corruption, while police chief Kowit Wattana called on his subordinates to work in strict compliance with the law, refrain from corruption and symbolise public safety, not fear. On July 13, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, at a seminar of police officers from all over the country, lashed out at the Immigration Bureau for indulging in corruption and for demanding kickbacks from people travelling in and out of the country.

Mr Thaksin declared Oct 13 the start of new efforts to clean up the police force.

Later that evening, the national police chief transferred immigration police chief Pol Lt-Gen Amarin Niamsakul to the job of acting commissioner of the Police Forensic Science Bureau.

On national Police Day yesterday, immigration police commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Suwat Thamrongsrisakul presided over a mass ceremony for 3,000 immigration police to swear an oath to toe the line, perform their duties with honesty and shun personal benefits through power abuse.

About 1,000 of these officers lined up and took the oath in front of Luang Phor Khao Muang , the bureau's revered Buddha image, at the headquarters in Soi Suan Phlu and the rest did the same at their units in the provinces.

Pol Lt-Gen Suwat then urged his subordinates to adjust their attitudes and adhere to the principles of transparency, speed and virtue. He said the Immigration Police Bureau, which must play a leading role in the economy, security affairs and international relations, had often been criticised for lack of transparency and efficiency.

Meanwhile, Amorn Vanichvivat, a lecturer of Chulalongkorn University's faculty of political science and director of the Thai judicial procedure study and development centre, said the police still failed to live up to expectations.

Their reputation remained poor even after the force was restructured this year. He called for an improvement in police work, especially investigations, and pay rises for non-commissioned officers.

``Now we see police with close ties to their bosses, cabinet members and the prime minister being promoted fast while those working hard are held back.

``These things have degraded police work and professional ethics,'' he said.

--Bangkok Post 2005-10-14

[bino]

Later that evening, the national police chief transferred immigration police chief Pol Lt-Gen Amarin Niamsakul to the job of acting commissioner of the Police Forensic Science Bureau.

I don't get this part......

After Thaksin "lashed out at the immigration bureau for indulging in corruption and for demanding kickbacks from people", this guy gets a promotion? Surely he will be able to command higher fees by controlling the outcome of forensic evidence in high profile cases?

Edited October 14, 2005 by bino

[Khutan]

I was actually there yesterday in the morning doing my 90 day reporting. There were lots of seats and loud music. The car park was also cleared at the front.

Didn't hang around for the ceremony though.

[charles]

I find it hard to believe that the Immigration Dept is anywhere near being one of the more "problematic" sections of the Police Force in terms of corruption, racketeering, extortion etc. Maybe they are an easy target. Personally I've never encountered even a sniff of impropriety off any of them anywhere. Down at Suan Phlu they're even in danger of delivering an efficient and friendly service.

[stumonster]

Later that evening, the national police chief transferred immigration police chief Pol Lt-Gen Amarin Niamsakul to the job of acting commissioner of the Police Forensic Science Bureau.

I don't get this part......

After Thaksin "lashed out at the immigration bureau for indulging in corruption and for demanding kickbacks from people", this guy gets a promotion? Surely he will be able to command higher fees by controlling the outcome of forensic evidence in high profile cases?

Maybe this is a gambit by mr 't' to bring about the removal of the high profile forensic doctor porthip..

[camerata]

BANGKOK: -- To mark Police Day yesterday, about 3,000 immigration police officers took an oath against corruption

On July 13, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, at a seminar of police officers from all over the country, lashed out at the Immigration Bureau for indulging in corruption and for demanding kickbacks from people travelling in and out of the country.

This only happened because ex-massage parlour tycoon "Mad Dog" Chuwit lashed out first with details of the dirty deeds at Immigration.

[Noel]

I was actually there yesterday in the morning doing my 90 day reporting. There were lots of seats and loud music. The car park was also cleared at the front.

Didn't hang around for the ceremony though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How much were they charging for seat tickets?

[Ijustwannateach]

I agree that Bangkok immigration could be much, much worse (and what I hear from oldtimers says that it has been much worse before). Here I can go in at 1pm and get out by 2 pm, even if I'm by myself with no "connection." In the States, I remember sitting with a foreign friend in the waiting area for 4 hours one morning- we never even made it to the front of the electronic queue.

[Thug]

I must say that the Immigration Bureau service has improved a lot, last time I went got outta there less than 1 hour plus friendly smiling Thai ladies doing the things. It was great.

[Khutan]

<snip>Personally I've never encountered even a sniff of impropriety off any of them anywhere.  Down at Suan Phlu they're even in danger of delivering an efficient and friendly service. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agreed.

[Heng]

I find it hard to believe that the Immigration Dept is anywhere near being one of the more "problematic" sections of the Police Force in terms of corruption, racketeering, extortion etc.  Maybe they are an easy target.  Personally I've never encountered even a sniff of impropriety off any of them anywhere.  Down at Suan Phlu they're even in danger of delivering an efficient and friendly service. 

No racketeering or extortion probably, but there are more than enough funds for the BIB to squab over.

As far as gov't posts go, my friends say the various expressways/tollways are the most lucrative and thus management posts therein are the most preferred for those of influence. In terms of "revenue," the police immigration department is right up there. It's legal and those being "taxed" are perfectly willing. 25 satang ink stamp = 1900 Baht revenue (at least). Everyone in the house is on standard (low) police/gov't salary. Low overhead + lots of cops and cash. Not a good combination if the kids aren't sharing properly.