Police, Gambling Links Uncovered - But No Bribes: Bangkok

[webfact]

Police, gambling links uncovered - but no bribes

By The Nation

Senior policemen found involved in operations of illegal gambling dens and casinos in Bangkok will possible have three month salary cuts, while those with lower ranks could face disciplinary detentions, Royal Thai Police inspectorgeneral Pol General Sathaphorn Laothong said yesterday.

An internal investigation into the issue, in which four highranking policemen are allegedly involved already, is scheduled to be complete today (Sept 9). He said additional scrutiny found that there were another 24 officers found possibly behind the operation of a major den located near Rama IX Road.

The first 19 officers questioned are found to have violated disciplinary regulations but not yet committed any criminal offence. "There are no evidence linking to them receiving bribe from den owners available," he added.

The additional 24 officers are with Wang Thongland police station, and the Metropolitan Police Divison 4.

A deputy Bangkok police chief had earlier dismissed his roles behind operations of the dens, saying that he had neither responsibilities in antivice operations nor jurisdictions over Ratchadaphisek areas where one of the dens were uncovered in video clips released last month in the Parliament.

Pol Maj General Worrasak Nopsitthiphorn said he had been tasked with suppression of copyright infringment and with citizen patrol project under the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

Meanwhile, electricity and water were yesterday cut off at a onestorey building, located between Soi Ratchadaphisek 14 and 16, said to be one of the dens referred to in the clips. The measures were taken at police's recommendation, but waterworks and electricity agency officials said they were following regulations because merely of suspected illegal activities inside the building.

Police detained a number of men who were guarding the building and are attempting to find out who own it. Initial searches, in which reporters were not allowed in by the guards, found a number of decks of cards inside the building. Pol Maj General Anuchai Lekbamrung, another MPB deputy chief who led to search, said he would probe into the clip issue fairly and justly.

Separately, Raksanti Party leader Purachai Piamsombun called on the government to think twice about "giving the national police chief position to a candidate with the connection", referring to similar pratices in the past which he said should not be continued.

-- The Nation 2011-09-09

[katasyd]

Yes, no bribes were paid and all the profits from the casino went to charity.

[whybother]

Senior policemen found involved in operations of illegal gambling dens and casinos in Bangkok will possible have three month salary cuts

This place just makes me laugh ... you know, one of those crazy laughs people do when in straight jackets.

[siampolee]

Seniorpolicemen found involved in operations of illegal gambling dens and casinos inBangkok will possible have three month salary cuts, while those with lowerranks could face disciplinary detentions, Royal Thai Police inspectorgeneralPol General Sathaphorn Laothong said yesterday.

So we see yet again equality in action.

Possibly it should it read "inaction.''

We see that the boys at the top of the pile get a three month salary cut "WOW." Just how painful a sentence that is ? No doubt the mia noi has to go short, or more likely the local assurance (extortion) rates rise to cover the shortfall in the income.

Now the creative lads and lasses at the bottom of this particular pile of faecal matter face being incarcerated for the implementations of their masters actions,wonderful how the current rage for equality varies when it is deemed necessary is it not ?

[Thaddeus]

Seizure of assets followed by a public flogging is the only deterrent that may work.

"who's a naughty boy, no sweets for three months" won't.

[joefromdc]

No bribes? Is this April 1 or something?

[dindong]

[Moruya]

Until all officials are suitably punished for corruption it will be part of the scenery.

May just as well give them all an ice cream

[joefromdc]

May just as well give them all an ice cream

I disagree. I think they should give them a biscuit.

[geriatrickid]

Now I understand why it is so common for the locals not to flush the toilet.

[Pib]

No bribes? Is this April 1 or something?

My thoughts too. TIT

[Pib]

Maybe tea money is not considered bribes. So, no brides, not violation of the law but the govt will still do some lite hand slapping to show they will not stand for such corruption, especially when the corruption story breaks all over the newspapers and they have to take action. TIT

[ginjag]

May just as well give them all an ice cream

I disagree. I think they should give them a biscuit.

I disagree. I think rodine would be more apt............NO bribes, so it was against the law and the police didn't mind them operating . All those dens and no bribes, if the top man believes that, CHANGE HIM. How could they have been UNCOVERED when everyone knew they were there, the operators , the back up . the customers, the feed off businesses families and friends. JOKE

Edited September 9, 2011 by ginjag

[JeremyBowskill]

I love this article.

Edited September 9, 2011 by JeremyBowskill

[pisico]

Now I understand why it is so common for the locals not to flush the toilet.

... and why they ride motorcycles on the sidewalks destined for pedestrians, why the soi dogs run freely in the biggest city of the land without the presence of an Animal Control Department, why garbage is placed in plastic sacks on the sidewalks only to be scavenged by soi dogs, why there is no regular inspection of the sidewalk food stands, why a work permit is delayed if no "tea money" is paid to the clerk behind the counter, why buses are only washed during Songkran...?

I will stop here to give the Thai apologists a chance to rebut.

More whys later after the apologies start coming in... TIT and also TITV

[Deez]

3 months holiday for the police involved. That should deter them from another multi million baht operation

[bristolgeoff]

gambling is illegal,they do not exist,they must be lying

[DTiger]

Mobsters judging mobsters What do you really expect?

[steveyinasia]

Unfortunately it is only the foreigners that write about such injustices and inequality in Thailand, generally Thai's accept this behavior and have no way, in their minds, to stop it. Intimidation is the BIB's biggest and most effective weapon, time to flush the toilet I think.

[Crushdepth]

Senior policemen found involved in operations of illegal gambling dens and casinos in Bangkok will possible have three month salary cuts, while those with lower ranks could face disciplinary detentions, Royal Thai Police inspectorgeneral Pol General Sathaphorn Laothong said yesterday

Why not prosecute them, then fire them? Corrupt officials are WORSE THAN USELESS. Law enforcement in this country is a complete joke.

Edited September 9, 2011 by Crushdepth

[PEP]

I love this article.

Me too. However, I missed out reading the red bit "SATIRE"as a heading.

A few thoughts come to mind. Something about "Ostrich and Sand" also about "Tracking Elephants through Snow!"

"

Edited September 9, 2011 by thaiphoon
Quote repaired.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I'm not sure if it would be applied the same here...

But I remember reading a past article where it was explained that "disciplinary detention" meant sitting in a pretty much empty room at some government building all day... not doing any work...not able to do much.... and then going home at the end of the day....

Isn't that pretty much their normal workday anyway???

Edited September 9, 2011 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[webfact]

24 Police Officers Linked to Gambling Den Scandal

The police inspector general says the inquiry result on the alleged existence of a gambling den on Bangkok's Rama 9 Road will be forwarded to the police chief.

Meanwhile, 24 policemen have been found to have been involved in the operations of previously exposed illegal gambling dens.

Police Inspector-General Sathaporn Laothong revealed that an additional 24 police officers have been found to be linked to illegal gambling dens in Bangkok.

Officers turned a blind eye to gambling dens in Ratchada and Rama 9 areas, which are under the Wang Thonglang police station's jurisdiction.

There are thought to be 200 to 400 gamblers in the area.

Sathaporn insisted that high-ranking officers must take responsibility, including the deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, who is in charge of crime suppression, along with the Metropolitan Police Division 4 commander and his deputy, and the superintendent of Wang Thonglang Police station, his deputy, and inspector.

The inspector-general reiterated that other officers will be called in for further questioning by next week.

The accused face charges of negligence of duty and violation of disciplinary regulations.

Sathaporn said the case report will be forwarded to National Police Chief, Police General Wichien Podposri to finalize the case and decide on the punishment, but he declined to specify when.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-09

[Cnxforever]

Seniorpolicemen found involved in operations of illegal gambling dens and casinos inBangkok will possible have three month salary cuts, while those with lowerranks could face disciplinary detentions, Royal Thai Police inspectorgeneralPol General Sathaphorn Laothong said yesterday.

So we see yet again equality in action.

Possibly it should it read "inaction.''

We see that the boys at the top of the pile get a three month salary cut "WOW." Just how painful a sentence that is ? No doubt the mia noi has to go short, or more likely the local assurance (extortion) rates rise to cover the shortfall in the income.

Now the creative lads and lasses at the bottom of this particular pile of faecal matter face being incarcerated for the implementations of their masters actions,wonderful how the current rage for equality varies when it is deemed necessary is it not ?

In Thailand the ruling elite has for decades passed laws who only benefit people with power and connections. It makes it easy for them to commit crimes and hardly ever get punishment for it. If they are caught there is always the "little guys" who take the fall for them.

Instead of putting the people who are behind this away for years - they get 3 month salary cuts - they must be laughing their a.. off. How much did these casinos make every day 2-5 million?? The 3 month salary cut must really hurt them!

The rich and powerfull in Thailand can commit any crime they like and will never be really punished for it - unless they find themselves on the wrong side of the political flavor of the day - then the crimes they commit are held against them - forcing them to switch sides - if they do everything is forgotten about and swept under the carpet - and the same cycle begins and it goes round and round this will never change.

I honestly believe some of the Thai politicians like Chuan and Abhisit had good intentions to change things - but they where just sheep surrounded by wolves - they never stood a chance. The losers are the Thai people who are at the mercy of these greedy scoundrels who run this country and I don't mean only the politicians - they are not the ones really in charge here anyway! They are only allowed to govern as long as they don't touch the people who are really in charge.

I happen to know a very "influential" Thai - who had to flee this country during the Asian financial crises. He returned 10 years later. He and others had skimmed of millions and millions from bank loans which were supposed to be invested into mega projects - once they have the connections to get their hands on a banks money - the only thing they think of how much they can put in their own pockets. Asking him if he felt that he had done something wrong his answer is - "Why? - you don't get a chance like this very often in life - everybody who had connections did it - and I would do it all over again if I have the chance!" He is one of the so called elite in this country - well educated (in the US), rich and influential, connected family.

Others tried to go even further - he knows a certain yellow shirt leader who helped himself to billions from a Thai government run bank before the crises hit - he and others tried to use their influence and connection to politicians and have the bankruptcy laws changed so they could emerge from bankruptcy only after ONE year with a clean sheet - so they could do it all over again!

This person has been sentenced several times to jail terms over the last decade but has still not spend a single day in prison.

So as a poor person steal a few hundred Baht in Thailand and go to prison for two years - if you have the right connections you can commit any crime you like - nothing is going to happen to you!

[Oberkommando]

I honestly believe some of the Thai politicians like Chuan and Abhisit had good intentions to change things

They are Thai-Chinese and their families are ensconced in the very practices you criticise in your post. Not to mention Chuan has a conviction for corruption and his brother embezzled billions from the bank before running off to Taiwan as a fugitive.

[elgato]

"The first 19 officers questioned are found to have violated disciplinary regulations but not yet committed any criminal offence. "There are no evidence linking to them receiving bribe from den owners available," he added."

No evidence "available"

[mca]

Senior policemen found involved in operations of illegal gambling dens and casinos in Bangkok will possible have three month salary cuts

This place just makes me laugh ... you know, one of those crazy laughs people do when in straight jackets.

Yeah reading that sentence I, alone in the room, was actually laughing and shaking my head. Not in disbelief. More in a " par for the course " sort of way.

[Oberkommando]

Tell me again with a straight face this time that Thailand has a functioning justice system and rule of law.

And people wonder why we longer term expats get so cynical and opinionated about the place.

[Tanaka]

It is just pathetic. And so sad for Thailand.

[Tokay]

What is their definition of a bribe? Anything over 100,000 baht?