Chiefs Of Three Police Stations In Bangkok Transferred Over Gambling Dens

[webfact]

Three police chiefs transferred over gambling dens

By The Nation

Four highranking officers implicated in two other illegal operations

The chiefs of three police stations in Bangkok were transferred to inactive posts yesterday after video clips showing gambling dens in areas under their jurisdiction were released in Parliament last month.

The three officers, who all hold the rank of police colonel, are Phya Thai station chief Samarn Rodkamnerd, Tao Poon station's Weera Jiraweera and Bang Yi Khan station's Adisak Khunaphan. The officers will be assigned desk jobs for 30 days pending disciplinary action. Their positions will be taken over by other officers holding the same rank during this period.

A separate investigation into two dens off Ratchadaphisek and Rama IX roads had not been completed as scheduled yesterday. So far, four highranking officers at Bangkok Police Bureau level and another 39 officers at Wang Thong Land and Metropolitan Police Division 24 have been implicated in relation to both dens.

If found guilty, the highranking officers may lose the chance of promotion, Royal Thai Police inspectorgeneral Pol General Sathaphorn Laothong said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, who oversees national police, issued a fivepoint policy for 1,500 station chiefs at a meeting in Bangkok yesterday. The policy includes the suppression of drug trafficking and other crime; an increase in police patrols; the preservation of natural resources and the environment; and upgrading all police stations to serve as onepoint service centres.

Acting national police chief Pol General Priewpan Damapong said he had instructed Bangkok police to ensure that all local gambling dens stop operating by setting up checkpoints and blocking potential clients before other measures are worked out later.

-- The Nation 2011-09-10

related:

Police, Gambling Links Uncovered - But No Bribes: Bangkok

[katasyd]

In a country with proper laws, these cops would be facing a long stay in prison.

How can the world take Thailand seriously when stories like this emerge and the culprits just get a transfer to another desk?

If found guilty, the highranking officers may lose the chance of promotion, Royal Thai Police inspectorgeneral Pol General Sathaphorn Laothong said yesterday.

Only in Thailand and maybe Afghanistan.

Edited September 9, 2011 by katasyd

[swifty5x5]

Not only a long stay in prison but the loss of their pensions and to be shunned by fellow police and the community that they live in.

[pauljones]

The Rachada casino 2 million a day to police.

[Ricardo]

Oh Goody, it's time to play musical-chairs, until the public & media have focused on some other scandal !

Edited September 10, 2011 by Ricardo

[AleG]

Acting national police chief Pol General Priewpan Damapong said he had instructed Bangkok police to ensure that all local gambling dens stop operating by setting up checkpoints and blocking potential clients before other measures are worked out later.

Did he release the list of names of police officers involved in drug trafficking he said he has? He should get serious over the matter.

[bristolgeoff]

only transfer to another town,something not right there

[Deez]

That should take care of it. 4 transfers and the whole problem should be taken care of. Next

[AleG]

only transfer to another town,something not right there

They'll be expanding the franchise for illegal casinos.

[bushwacker]

"If found guilty, the highranking officers may lose the chance of promotion,"

What a joke. They are already colonels, do you think they really give a sh*t about further promotions versus the opportunity to make mega BAHT at casinos?

With this kind of maximum penalty then who in their right mind would take the new 5 point policy seriously ........

"Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, who oversees national police, issued a fivepoint policy for 1,500 station chiefs at a meeting in Bangkok yesterday. The policy includes the suppression of drug trafficking and other crime; an increase in police patrols; the preservation of natural resources and the environment; and upgrading all police stations to serve as onepoint service centres."

I think the meeting really was issuing a 5 point policy on how to make sure no other colonels are caught.

And if it were a real plan, do you really think the other 1500 station chiefs would take the 5 point plan seriously when the penalty for criminal behavior is so mild.

[Crushdepth]

If found guilty, the highranking officers may lose the chance of promotion, Royal Thai Police inspectorgeneral Pol General Sathaphorn Laothong said yesterday.

This country has no hope while people like this "enforce" the law.

[JeremyBowskill]

seems pointless to just single out a few.........

Edited September 10, 2011 by JeremyBowskill

[GooEng]

there ARE proper laws in thailand, it's just that the most adept at blatantly ignoring them and breaking them for their own gain are the police force.

the fact that this goes on openly and is acknowledged and accepted is thailand's number one national shame.

[samran]

I can't get over the hypocrisy I see on threads such as these.

Never slipped a copper 200 baht?

Never bought ripped off software or movies at Pantip or on the street?

Never taken bar-fined BG? (where do you think a portion of the bar fine goes?)

Never bought her a 'real-fake' hand bag for her?

You've all benefited from the same corruption, yet you come on here and whinge.

Edited September 10, 2011 by samran

[aaacorp]

Interesting that the Lumpini Police Station is still out of trouble.

This police station is well known for all the corruption linked to nightclubs, bars and gogo...

As some people i know had nightclubs they always had to pay A LOT to them

But everything will be the same in one month....

[laurentbkk]

you didnt get it , they were sent to another town , more quiet so they can re open their gambling stuff .....and send money back to Bangkok ....

At that stage Thailand would need more than a miracle to get credibility on international scene ....

Amazed in Thailand .

[mightyharriss]

you didnt get it , they were sent to another town , more quiet so they can re open their gambling stuff .....and send money back to Bangkok ....

At that stage Thailand would need more than a miracle to get credibility on international scene ....

Amazed in Thailand .

this

[moe666]

Getting all flumoxed for nothing

[Bakseedaa]

I can't get over the hypocrisy I see on threads such as these.

Never slipped a copper 200 baht?

Never bought ripped off software or movies at Pantip or on the street?

Never taken bar-fined BG? (where do you think a portion of the bar fine goes?)

Never bought her a 'real-fake' hand bag for her?

You've all benefited from the same corruption, yet you come on here and whinge.

Yes, you are right that corruption is corruption whatever, but we are not senior ploicemen, whos duty is to serve and protect...

[Farang0tang]

Fancy that, the "fivepoint" policy doesnt include specifically any crackdown on corruption (Thailand's #1 problem IMHO)

Ok, corruption may come under the umbrella of "other crime", or does he mean "upgrading all police stations to serve as onepoint service centre" - for corruption?

[OzMick]

seems pointless to just single out a few.........

It's a start, and a lot better than singling out none.

[OzMick]

"Acting national police chief Pol General Priewpan Damapong said he had instructed Bangkok police to ensure that all local gambling dens stop operating by setting up checkpoints and blocking potential clients before other measures are worked out later."

Or they could force their way in, arrest everyone in sight, and smash and burn any gambling equipment. the problem being that you wouldn't know whose toes you might be stepping on.

The last Police chief gets the can for ignoring corruption, his acting replacement seems to be aiding and abetting it.

[ginjag]

I can't get over the hypocrisy I see on threads such as these.

Never slipped a copper 200 baht?

Never bought ripped off software or movies at Pantip or on the street?

Never taken bar-fined BG? (where do you think a portion of the bar fine goes?)

Never bought her a 'real-fake' hand bag for her?

You've all benefited from the same corruption, yet you come on here and whinge.

I'm not real ?? I've never lived ??? I don't do the norm ??

No to the police--------------I want porn or movies bought on the street-No-----------------bar girl No---------------- the only bag I buy is at macro--------------- I whinge at your style who thinks we are all stereo types. Why not be outspoken about the vile goings on -INACTIVE POSTS indeed- so you condone it eh!

[anon467367354]

I can't get over the hypocrisy I see on threads such as these.

Never slipped a copper 200 baht?

Never bought ripped off software or movies at Pantip or on the street?

Never taken bar-fined BG? (where do you think a portion of the bar fine goes?)

Never bought her a 'real-fake' hand bag for her?

You've all benefited from the same corruption, yet you come on here and whinge.

actually, none of the above

[Crushdepth]

"Acting national police chief Pol General Priewpan Damapong said he had instructed Bangkok police to ensure that all local gambling dens stop operating by setting up checkpoints and blocking potential clients before other measures are worked out later."

Or they could force their way in, arrest everyone in sight, and smash and burn any gambling equipment. the problem being that you wouldn't know whose toes you might be stepping on.

The last Police chief gets the can for ignoring corruption, his acting replacement seems to be aiding and abetting it.

Checkpoints?

[catmac]

I can't get over the hypocrisy I see on threads such as these.

Never slipped a copper 200 baht?

Never bought ripped off software or movies at Pantip or on the street?

Never taken bar-fined BG? (where do you think a portion of the bar fine goes?)

Never bought her a 'real-fake' hand bag for her?

You've all benefited from the same corruption, yet you come on here and whinge.

Good old Samran, always the first to whitewash anything gruby that surfaces in Thailand. A Thai-apologist to the core!

[brianb1944]

Chalerm neglected to mention another important duty. "The arrest of any Farang seen playing music (jamming) in public in Chiang Mai"

[Briggsy]

In the 2010/11 financial year, the UK raised £850 million in betting and gaming duty excluding the lottery. [source HMRC: Receipts from Betting and Gaming Duties: July 2011 Bulletin]

The gaming industry is taxed in Thailand too, albeit informally.

The UK and Thailand have similar populations, though Thais and East Asians in general enjoy gambling more.

The new government has to ensure this £850 million or 41 billion Baht per year gets channeled to Pheua Thai people and not to its opponents.

This is one factor in this story.

[rixalex]

I can't get over the hypocrisy I see on threads such as these.

Never slipped a copper 200 baht?

Never bought ripped off software or movies at Pantip or on the street?

Never taken bar-fined BG? (where do you think a portion of the bar fine goes?)

Never bought her a 'real-fake' hand bag for her?

You've all benefited from the same corruption, yet you come on here and whinge.

I get your point, but i do think there is a difference between slipping a cop, who more often than not, has pulled you over on a bogus traffic violation, 200 baht, and a police chief using his position to rake in millions of illegally earnt baht.

As it happens, i always, on principle, insist on the cop writing me a ticket. Fortunately for me, this has always resulted in the cop backing down. I do admit though, i have been tempted to slip some money over, and i really don't blame the people who do. The system has to be changed. It's not fair, nor is it realistic, to expect the change to come from the public taking a moral stand. It's up to the state to set the standards, and i think the public would fully support them being raised, but until then, the public can't be blamed for playing along.

[Deez]

I can't get over the hypocrisy I see on threads such as these.

Never slipped a copper 200 baht?

Never bought ripped off software or movies at Pantip or on the street?

Never taken bar-fined BG? (where do you think a portion of the bar fine goes?)

Never bought her a 'real-fake' hand bag for her?

You've all benefited from the same corruption, yet you come on here and whinge.

So you support corruption then?