Bangkok police told to solve crime backlog

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok police have more than 50,000 unsolved cases in which suspects have not been arrested, Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol LtGeneral Khamronwit Thoopkrajang said yesterday.

All 88 police stations and their chiefs have been ordered to pursue suspects for these crimes or close unsolved cases, but no timeframe had been given for this.

Since Khamronwit took over the post a few months ago, there have been two major operations, which have turned up more than 1,200 pistols. This was revealed at a twohour meeting of MPB leaders and chiefs of the 88 stations yesterday.

After the session, Khamronwit received 250 bulletproof vests donated to Bangkok police by a former national police chief.

Speaking of his order to transfer the chief of Bang Khunthien police to inactive duty for 30 days, Khamronwit said Pol Colonel Thanakrit Chaijaruwut faced punishment because he had neglected to ensure that a policeman shot and wounded in the line of duty received proper care.

"The policeman was shot and sustained a wound…but Thanakrit failed to go the scene, at 4am. Even at 10am when the officer was admitted at the Police General Hospital, the colonel had not visited him," Khamronwit said.

-- The Nation 2012-08-28

The next thousand hundred people arrested might find themselves lumped with a number of 'previously unsolved' charges.

I'll give them 90 days to clear the backlog.

I do not believe they are capable of that. They lack the skills. And even if they had the skills, what good would it do in a legal system where weak corrupt judges can be bought off with a song and dance.

Where convicted murderers, racketeers are granted bail, and where criminal element is deeply rooted in the Police Force itself...

Seems all the Government departments are on a mass scramble for money. Tax hike on Alcohol, new tax inspectors, land investigations, now the police are going to chase their backlog. It looks like Thailand will become an increasingly difficult and expensive place to live.

M

Another hub, Thailand the "hub" of crime resolution? However, I tend to agree with the assumption Thai Police may not be trained well enough but I would rather back a vote of corruption being the core problem where witnesses seem to disappear, refuse to remember etc. In Australia unsolved homicides number only 32, in the USA that number is now around 3,500. If Thailand is talking homicides only (leave out all the graft and burglaries etc), then it may well be this is simply a statistic that reflects killers actually do get away with it. Drug related homicide has been the major factor in unsolved crime increasing. In Brazil there are around 60,000 unsolved of which 24,000 cannot be identified. But as the unsolved cases have not been identified as to a category this really is simply speculation. I would doubt the will be a short term fix for this.

Every BIB has been issued (at great cost) a DVD of 'Cold Case Files', which will help solve the problem.

But this would take police away from profitable traffic fine duty--ain't going to to happen!!!

Seems all the Government departments are on a mass scramble for money. Tax hike on Alcohol, new tax inspectors, land investigations, now the police are going to chase their backlog. It looks like Thailand will become an increasingly difficult and expensive place to live.

M

You make yourself sound like a criminal. How else would police investigations of unsolved crimes, land investigations, tax inspections make life more difficult. In fact, for honest people, it makes life easier. And as for alcohol tax hikes, that happens in the UK every year.

This sounds like an effort to clean up the system and find the criminals and tax dodgers. They should be applauded for doing that. People on TV always complain if the government don't take action, but also complain if they do. What do you suggest, that they leave crimes unsolved, allow people to illegally use land and avoid tax?

But this would take police away from profitable traffic fine duty--ain't going to to happen!!!

Hmm never thought of that, they certainly do a fine traffic job.

Perhaps DPM-Chalerm might add this to his inaction action-list ?

Wirh 50,000 unsolved cases which is probably a low estimate and growing, it appears the police are not capable in first rate police work.

I you recall the two Canadian sisters which died in their room, were thought to have died from Ibophrophen (spelling not correct) wthhich was the first theory spoken out of one of the

policeman's mouth.

But we still haven't heard any follow up at all.. my guess is this is one of the 50,000 unsolved crimes on the books

It will never happen. They are too busy shaking down foreigners as well as their own kind for money.

Possibly the funniest headline of the year

All 88 police stations and their chiefs have been ordered to pursue suspects for these crimes or close unsolved cases, but no timeframe had been given for this.

what the hell is the point in bringing it up then ?

This would come at a High cost to the BIB in just training and time....It is accepted that a Percent will never get caught like most countries...Improvement I hope but a Cure no way..

does 'clearing crimes' = throwing the crime reports in the bin and deleting them from the computer?

looks to me they got to go now and arrest themselves, being that most perps are the police here

How do you get from "Bangkok police have more than 50,00 unsolved cases" to bulletproof vest being donated to Pol Colonel Thanakrit Chaijaruwut facing punishment for not ensuring that a policeman shot and wounded in the line of duty received proper care? The literary excellence of The Nation never ceases to amaze me!

i love that headline, they should add a tag line ' versus their primary job of scamming money out of people'

Where's 50,000 Burmese fishermen when they're needed.

Well this is the "Miracle" Year in Amusing Thailand

But this would take police away from profitable traffic fine duty--ain't going to to happen!!!

Indeed. A few weeks ago I counted 21 police stopping motor bike riders and fining them for not wearing helmets. 21 police at a single traffic stop collecting fines. There's a crime that could be easily solved.

Where's 50,000 Burmese fishermen when they're needed.

Don't worry, they'll be along soon - even bring a few Khmers with them. They've just gone back in time to commit some crimes.

Maybe Chalerm's boy can assist his father on this and clear all 50.000 cases within 3 moths. If the suspect is a PT voter, apply for amnesty as it must surely be politically motivated!

The problem seems the be that it is incredibly difficult to motivate the rank and file of the Police force. Corruption is said to be priority in the ranks so that the ranks can feed booty up the ladder to where it is required. Meanwhile the rookies have to set aside enough tea money to pay off the cost of the answer sheet to their police entrance examination test whilst also holding back cash to pay for their future promotion. So have a little sympathy for the BIB they must be among the most 'oppressed insiders' on the planet.

Seems all the Government departments are on a mass scramble for money. Tax hike on Alcohol, new tax inspectors, land investigations, now the police are going to chase their backlog. It looks like Thailand will become an increasingly difficult and expensive place to live.

M

You make yourself sound like a criminal. How else would police investigations of unsolved crimes, land investigations, tax inspections make life more difficult. In fact, for honest people, it makes life easier. And as for alcohol tax hikes, that happens in the UK every year.

This sounds like an effort to clean up the system and find the criminals and tax dodgers. They should be applauded for doing that. People on TV always complain if the government don't take action, but also complain if they do. What do you suggest, that they leave crimes unsolved, allow people to illegally use land and avoid tax?

I think you know very little about how Thailand works when you make such comments

Too busy collecting tea money from falangs.

Seems all the Government departments are on a mass scramble for money. Tax hike on Alcohol, new tax inspectors, land investigations, now the police are going to chase their backlog. It looks like Thailand will become an increasingly difficult and expensive place to live.

M

You make yourself sound like a criminal. How else would police investigations of unsolved crimes, land investigations, tax inspections make life more difficult. In fact, for honest people, it makes life easier. And as for alcohol tax hikes, that happens in the UK every year.

This sounds like an effort to clean up the system and find the criminals and tax dodgers. They should be applauded for doing that. People on TV always complain if the government don't take action, but also complain if they do. What do you suggest, that they leave crimes unsolved, allow people to illegally use land and avoid tax?

Where have you been for the past couple of years. It dates back for me 25 years. It ani't going to happen. It IS just another sound bite.

Seems all the Government departments are on a mass scramble for money. Tax hike on Alcohol, new tax inspectors, land investigations, now the police are going to chase their backlog. It looks like Thailand will become an increasingly difficult and expensive place to live.

M

You make yourself sound like a criminal. How else would police investigations of unsolved crimes, land investigations, tax inspections make life more difficult. In fact, for honest people, it makes life easier. And as for alcohol tax hikes, that happens in the UK every year.

This sounds like an effort to clean up the system and find the criminals and tax dodgers. They should be applauded for doing that. People on TV always complain if the government don't take action, but also complain if they do. What do you suggest, that they leave crimes unsolved, allow people to illegally use land and avoid tax?

This is called upping the ante, there is a much bigger picture forming here, why do you think all these officials are suddenly getting off their bums and doing some work? Why is the Thai government being quoted as starting to invest in European properties and land? Not a conspiracy theorist, but I think there are turbulent times ahead. Can not give my reasons on the forum due to the rules.