Female Traffic Police Hit Bangkok Streets Today

If you don't look hard enough, you might not notice them. They're dressed like their male counterparts, but are expected to bring a fresh, gentle approach to enforcing traffic laws in a capital city notorious for its unorganized driving and horrendous traffic jams. 18 female traffic police officers are set to hit the streets of Bangkok today, January 23. Their first call of duty is to patrol and monitor traffic in areas congested due to Chinese New Year festivities, especially the Yaowarat area.

Not huge fans of traffic police, Bangkok commuters probably hadn't noticed that all of the city's traffic officers are men. Today, that is set to change. Police Lieutenant General Worasak Nopsittiporn, the deputy metropolitan police chief, revealed details of the new project, saying the program aims to bring a lighter approach to the enforcement of traffic laws by bringing in female traffic police officers. Female officers are believed to be less confrontational with commuters and are expected to make dealing with traffic police a little more pleasant.

The project first opened up the opportunity for female police officers in all branches of the Metropolitan Police Bureau to volunteer for the job.

However, no one offered to join the program. Police Lieutenant General Worasak speculates that lady officers are probably discouraged by the tough conditions of Bangkok streets. Not only are the officers expected to enforce traffic laws by handing out tickets and controlling intersection lights, they are also expected to be out in the sun, manually directing traffic as well.

However, after some persuasion, 18 female riot control police officers volunteered their services. Despite an initial aim to garner at least 30 volunteers for the project, the deputy metropolitan police chief says 18 is a good start.

The female traffic officers will be dressed in the same uniforms as their male counterparts. However, their motorcycle helmets will be white with pink lining as opposed to the normal red lining for local area traffic officers or orange helmets for officers under the central traffic control division.

Translated from www.dailynews.co.th

-- Tan Network 2012-01-23

I'd imagine it took quite a bit of persuasion....

Why would a bunch of women officers assigned to "riot control" want to get transferred to riding motorcycles every day... standing outside in the sun and pollution....waving traffic this way or that.... Or sitting in some police box all day....

Just curious, what do those lady riot control officers do every day when there isn't some big riot going on somewhere??? (There are days like that, right?)

Just curious, what do those lady riot control officers do every day when there isn't some big riot going on somewhere??? (There are days like that, right?)

Eat, talk, play game, eat, talk..

I can't see this lasting long. Time will tell.

I am sure I read the same story about 9 years ago, Dunno what happened to that experiment.

And while we are at it, what happened to the pink buses?

Have faith. You need to start somewhere.

Outside of Immigration, I don't think I've ever seen in person any female police officer in Bangkok....

Why would a bunch of women officers assigned to "riot control" want to get transferred to riding motorcycles every day... standing outside in the sun and pollution....waving traffic this way or that.... Or sitting in some police box all day....

Riot control is just not such a lucrative business these days.

That's so hot. Chics in uniforms are the sexiest thing on earth.

Now I have a reason to get a traffic ticket!

That's so hot. Chics in uniforms are the sexiest thing on earth.

With pink-lined helmets...to boot.... Just so you can keep them straight from the other cops...

That's so hot. Chics in uniforms are the sexiest thing on earth.

hahahahhaha what about third Thai gender, that would be interesting,

Will their uniforms be as skin tight as their male counterparts?

That's so hot. Chics in uniforms are the sexiest thing on earth.

hahahahhaha what about third Thai gender, that would be interesting,

Whatever floats your boat bro. I don't judge.

This is gonna eat into some serious Facebook time ...

I Hope they were trained well on how to solicit a bribe and conceal the exchange.

Might be good maybe the amount of citations will go up? It's been my experience here that women actually do their jobs unlike their lazy male friends. Best

I like women in uniform. They can take down my "particulars" anytime.

Now I have a reason to get a traffic ticket!

And gladly pay your "spot fine" right?

I guess they figure you will be happy to give the female office 300baht tea money unstead of only 200 to a male. It may not hurt as much looking at pretty face

Did anyone else regard the article as written with sexist overtones?

"bring a fresh, gentle approach to enforcing traffic laws"

"bring a lighter approach to the enforcement of traffic laws"

"lady officers are probably discouraged by the tough conditions of Bangkok streets"

"after some persuasion"

"officers volunteered their services"

I guess they figure you will be happy to give the female office 300baht tea money unstead of only 200 to a male. It may not hurt as much looking at pretty face

Who said they are pretty??? After all....they were Riot Police before....cant imagine any of those being slight built beauties!!

Did anyone else regard the article as written with sexist overtones?

"bring a fresh, gentle approach to enforcing traffic laws"

"bring a lighter approach to the enforcement of traffic laws"

"lady officers are probably discouraged by the tough conditions of Bangkok streets"

"after some persuasion"

"officers volunteered their services"

What's your point man?

Did anyone else regard the article as written with sexist overtones?

"bring a fresh, gentle approach to enforcing traffic laws"

"bring a lighter approach to the enforcement of traffic laws"

"lady officers are probably discouraged by the tough conditions of Bangkok streets"

"after some persuasion"

"officers volunteered their services"

What's your point man?

I'm saying it is sh*tty reporting.

Why would a bunch of women officers assigned to "riot control" want to get transferred to riding motorcycles every day... standing outside in the sun and pollution....waving traffic this way or that.... Or sitting in some police box all day....

Riot control is just not such a lucrative business these days.

Given what I have seen with BKK traffic, it is RIOT Control!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"However, after some persuasion, 18 female riot control police officers volunteered their services" I wonder how they forced them

"However, after some persuasion, 18 female riot control police officers volunteered their services" I wonder how they forced them

Probably no one forced them. They probably spoke with some of the current traffic police and found out how much money the extort from drivers each month. Done deal.

Just curious, what do those lady riot control officers do every day when there isn't some big riot going on somewhere??? (There are days like that, right?)

Eat, talk, play game, eat, talk..

right same as the male bib but then fast growing gib's

on the pics now they look allright imagine 1 year on the road a few biiiiig mammas there

I think the women traffic bike officers will do a good job in terms of ticketing traffic violators. Women cops

appear to be more merciless towards offenders.

I've seen many women traffic officers in Japan (they drive mini-patrol cars) and virtually ticket

every offender violating the traffic law.

Well, if we are lucky our favorite district near emporium will employ a few for searches and such?

Why would a bunch of women officers assigned to "riot control" want to get transferred to riding motorcycles every day... standing outside in the sun and pollution....waving traffic this way or that.... Or sitting in some police box all day....

Riot control is just not such a lucrative business these days.

But there will always be a need for a supply of "Inactive Posts" - maybe they are making space for some of the more senior officers who normally run gambling dens...