Black-shirts Patrol Bangkok Back Streets

[george]

Black-shirts patrol back streets

Residents welcome new police squad

BANGKOK: -- A newly formed black-shirt police unit is patrolling the back streets and alleys of Bangkok at night.

The pa cha da squad has been working only a few days, but already has won praise from residents _ and struck fear into a few denizens of the night.

Squad members do not wear the usual khaki uniforms but don jeans and black T-shirts. These are topped with black bullet-proof vests and golden police crash helmets, both with the word ``police'' in English. They also wear holstered handguns on their waists.

The crash helmets were added yesterday, concealing a more sinister looking black knitted cap.

A 40-year-old grocer in soi Phahon Yothin 52, Tassanee Boonsirikul, said she got a shock when squad members turned up in front of her shophouse in their knitted caps and black shirts. She thought they were robbers.

When she learned the truth her fear turned to relief, and she wanted them to patrol her soi more regularly because there had been thefts and brawls there.

``I am glad they come here, and we promise our full cooperation,'' she said.

Pol Col Vichai Sangprapai, who was behind the idea of the black-shirt squad, said he asked his men to wear crash helmets on top of their knitted headgear so they would be more easily identified as police.

The squad initially comprises two officers and 22 men, two each from Sai Mai, Bangsue, Prachachuen, Taopoon, Don Muang, Kannayao, Kokkram, Suthisarn, Bang Khen, Thung Song Hong and Phahon Yothin police stations.

They patrol on 11 motorcycles six hours a night, from 8pm until two the next morning.

Pol Col Vichai said they were not storm troopers out to kill criminals or use brute force against real or potential offenders. ``It is just a deterrent show of force. If we come across an offender, a purse snatcher for example, he will be arrested,'' he said.

People acting suspiciously were being stopped for questioning and their backgrounds checked.

Squad members are patrolling back streets and alleys, pedestrian bridges, buses and bus stops and other spots frequented by criminals.

Pol Col Vichai said police would gain basic information on local communities, which would be helpful in tracking down lawbreakers. ``That is why people whose behaviour is suspicious will have their photos taken and details recorded.''

In Bang Khen on Wednesday night, the squad arrested one Burmese illegal immigrant and seized 10 motorbikes suspected of being stolen.

They also stopped 15 teenagers for questioning.

Kampa Kaewpathee of soi Rarm Intra 39 said there had been thefts in the area and he welcomed the police presence. ``It is like having a police kiosk in our neighbourhood,'' he said.

--Bangkok Post 2004-02-06

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The real purpose of the squad is to ensure compliance with the Government edict for everyone to eat Thai chicken...the E N F O R C E R S

[huski]

Squad members do not wear the usual khaki uniforms but don jeans and black T-shirts. These are topped with black bullet-proof vests

an interesting fact that i saw a few months ago on discovery channel, thai police don't use kevlar vests as they were too expensive to buy. so the thais designed a special thai silk weave vest that turned out to be stronger than kevlar.

[Axel]

A 40-year-old grocer in soi Phahon Yothin 52, Tassanee Boonsirikul, said she got a shock when squad members turned up in front of her shophouse in their knitted caps and black shirts. She thought they were robbers

...and my wife is already afraid of Bangkok's finest in their brown uniforms, hiding the face under sun glasses and looking GRIM, she learned, however, never to stop if two of them sit on a motorbike late at night, sunglasses in place, driving through a small soi, they must be drunk