Bangkok Cops Caught On Camera Extorting Mall Vendor

[crazygreg44]

i strongly doubt that 9 out of 10 posters here have read the full article, by reading all the inappropriate comments.

The cashier arrested IS NOT IDENTICAL with the owner of the stall, so probably under law not responsible for the goods sold there, only maybe for being a minor accomplice.

Coming up with a 'bail' is not like it's in the west. If the BIB utter this word, it means 'give me the money and you can go home'

[Andre0720]

So her reaction is to blame the cop for extorting her when she was breaking the law herself, pretty bold

Both of them should be arrested

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If you think for an instant that everybody breaking the law in Thailand should be arrested....Well....

Maybe you should think it over.....

[jmucha]

Why? Is this something new? They're mad now just because there's a clip of it happening?

[BuddhaMind]

I gotta laugh. No one on this board would use a pirated copy of Windows or watch a pirated movie or read a pirated ebook or possess porn or even download them in torrents, but let some minimum wage Thai cashier get nailed for selling it and watch the indignation, hahaha.

I know I know, you're reply is "popular," but really, kinda arrogant. For one, you have no idea what people do on this board, so.... it's arrogant to think you do. Personally, I'm in the business of royalties and I take this copyright infringement and intellectual property rights issue very seriously. For instance, I believe if you do not pay for a legitimate new song or movie, you are a thief. And so, I use iTunes, etc. Now on the flip side, have you ever tried to find a legitimate copy of Windows 7 in Thailand? Good luck. Just the fact that we live here means we've probably used or possessed pirated items.

[happysanook]

Ummm... Where is the extortion? The cop said she had to pay 50,000B bail...

Or perhaps there was a deal made with the copyright owner, that if she paid a fine or settlement no criminal charges would be pressed.

Nothing to see here folks.

[Andre0720]

I gotta laugh. No one on this board would use a pirated copy of Windows or watch a pirated movie or read a pirated ebook or possess porn or even download them in torrents, but let some minimum wage Thai cashier get nailed for selling it and watch the indignation, hahaha.

I know I know, you're reply is "popular," but really, kinda arrogant. For one, you have no idea what people do on this board, so.... it's arrogant to think you do. Personally, I'm in the business of royalties and I take this copyright infringement and intellectual property rights issue very seriously. For instance, I believe if you do not pay for a legitimate new song or movie, you are a thief. And so, I use iTunes, etc. Now on the flip side, have you ever tried to find a legitimate copy of Windows 7 in Thailand? Good luck. Just the fact that we live here means we've probably used or possessed pirated items.

Wish you would go work on road safety in Thailand. Taking that job very seriously as well would probably be more productive than protecting business royalties.

[Tonykalniev]

Guys, you all got it wrong. cops are ok with people opening a business, whether the goods are fake or not. Every business needs to pay cops a certain amount of money per month. every business, even in shopping malls. so the lady must have decided that she is paying too much to them or she doesnt have enough money left over to live after paying them per month so she refused to pay them. thats when the cops do their job again and catch the illegalities.

not so hard to understand boys and girls

[BrianCR]

I gotta laugh. No one on this board would use a pirated copy of Windows or watch a pirated movie or read a pirated ebook or possess porn or even download them in torrents, but let some minimum wage Thai cashier get nailed for selling it and watch the indignation, hahaha.

You missed the point - she is Thai and the posters are Westerners - they have the right to do and say what they want including buying fakes - the Thai's must stick to the law!!! That is why the West is so messed up people do not think logically.

By the way that's the best post yet!

[pacovl46]

So her reaction is to blame the cop for extorting her when she was breaking the law herself, pretty bold

Both of them should be arrested

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What's bold about blaming the cop for extortion??? Yeah, she broke the law, BUT the cops are supposed to keep up the law - not break it!!! Kudos to the shop owner!!!!

[BrianCR]

Guys, you all got it wrong. cops are ok with people opening a business, whether the goods are fake or not. Every business needs to pay cops a certain amount of money per month. every business, even in shopping malls. so the lady must have decided that she is paying too much to them or she doesnt have enough money left over to live after paying them per month so she refused to pay them. thats when the cops do their job again and catch the illegalities.

not so hard to understand boys and girls

Love to know where you get your information from. In 32 years i have owned many business and never paid or been asked for one baht in corruption. The same applies to many business colleagues. Now, if you are talking about illegal business (such as bars - prostitution is against the law) well, that could be another story

[BrianCR]

I gotta laugh. No one on this board would use a pirated copy of Windows or watch a pirated movie or read a pirated ebook or possess porn or even download them in torrents, but let some minimum wage Thai cashier get nailed for selling it and watch the indignation, hahaha.

I know I know, you're reply is "popular," but really, kinda arrogant. For one, you have no idea what people do on this board, so.... it's arrogant to think you do. Personally, I'm in the business of royalties and I take this copyright infringement and intellectual property rights issue very seriously. For instance, I believe if you do not pay for a legitimate new song or movie, you are a thief. And so, I use iTunes, etc. Now on the flip side, have you ever tried to find a legitimate copy of Windows 7 in Thailand? Good luck. Just the fact that we live here means we've probably used or possessed pirated items.

In theory you are right! However the amount charged for movies/programmes/songs and the profits involved to the companies. in itself amounts to theft! I think this can be judged by the way they vary their prices from area to area - so, if you can't beat them join them - buy a counterfeit movie, take it home and, spend the money you have saved on a few bottles of beer so making the movie even more enjoyable to watch!! Better that way than the companies using the money they stole from you to buy beers

Edited January 26, 2013 by BrianCR

[phuketjock]

Except that she's not being "fleeced".

She is being told to come up with bail money to be released before having her day in trial, where she can try to convince the judge of her innocence.

This is standard criminal procedure everwhere.

Not without a receipt for the " bail money " that she is being fleeced asked to pay," not being fleeced " yeah right.

[phuketjock]

Neither the mall operator nor the "product distributor" can simply make a criminal charge go away. Their statements can be entered into the record as witness testimony, but the lady has still been charged with a criminal act which must be defended in Court.

You really need to improve your knowledge of criminal procedure.

Apparently not as much as you do. I don't think the police have the power to set bail, I believe that

is the courts juristiction. no??

[Xonax]

It's about time that all guilty parties would be taking responsibility instead of shuffling around the blame. The seller in this case is not only a victim, but also a perpetrator by selling those fake goods in the first place (and being fully aware that they're fake), thus equally guilty as the police trying to extort "bail money". If you're selling fake goods you shouldn't be all too surprised that eventually "someone" is going to take that as a pretext for fleecing you one way or another - and it serves you right.

If

It's about time that all guilty parties would be taking responsibility instead of shuffling around the blame. The seller in this case is not only a victim, but also a perpetrator by selling those fake goods in the first place (and being fully aware that they're fake), thus equally guilty as the police trying to extort "bail money". If you're selling fake goods you shouldn't be all too surprised that eventually "someone" is going to take that as a pretext for fleecing you one way or another - and it serves you right.

Is the software you use on your computer licensed? If are using fake goods and should be punished also. The fake goods would not exist, if there were not buyers My Microsoft 7 is licensed.

Is the software you use on your computer licensed? If are using fake goods and should be punished also. The fake goods would not exist, if there were not buyers My Microsoft 7 is licensed.

If the original products were available and affordable (let´s just imagine for a person on minimum wage), there would not be such a huge market for counterfeited goods. Not only the vendors, but also the copyright owners are responsible.

I would not buy counterfeited software at all, if it was available and affordable, but I currently have to pay the same for a private Microsoft Office pack, as a small business, even though I only need to write one page (in Word) a month.

[Skywalker69]

It's about time that all guilty parties would be taking responsibility instead of shuffling around the blame. The seller in this case is not only a victim, but also a perpetrator by selling those fake goods in the first place (and being fully aware that they're fake), thus equally guilty as the police trying to extort "bail money". If you're selling fake goods you shouldn't be all too surprised that eventually "someone" is going to take that as a pretext for fleecing you one way or another - and it serves you right.

Is the software you use on your computer licensed? If are using fake goods and should be punished also. The fake goods would not exist, if there were not buyers My Microsoft 7 is licensed.

My Window XP is licensed as well, may the one without sin cast the first stone.

[Locationthailand]

I wonder how long it will take for the BiB to sue the victim for defamation.

More like how long before she simply disappears. Lime pit in the rubber plantations. Happened to one of my wife's relatives when they knew she would stand up to them in court. We never found her either.

[wilcopops]

Two things

- firstly if she has committed a crime the normal way to deal with this is due process of law.

Laws are made by governments and the legislative and carried out by the executive.

The police's job is to apprehend the suspect (repeat suspect) and then present the evidence to a judge or similar inna court of law.

It would appear here that the police have arrested, passed judgement and pronounced sentence or bail on this person who has not even been seen by a court.

separation of powers and responsibilities is the key to a good democracy - it looks here as if all the powers ae being executed by and at the discretion of one police officer or a handful of them.

- Secondly - whatever happens here it would seem that this woman has publicly rubbed up the police the wrong way......I hope the media keeps a close eye on what happens to her over the next few months or even years.........

[stoli]

It's about time that all guilty parties would be taking responsibility instead of shuffling around the blame. The seller in this case is not only a victim, but also a perpetrator by selling those fake goods in the first place (and being fully aware that they're fake), thus equally guilty as the police trying to extort "bail money". If you're selling fake goods you shouldn't be all too surprised that eventually "someone" is going to take that as a pretext for fleecing you one way or another - and it serves you right.

Is the software you use on your computer licensed? If are using fake goods and should be punished also. The fake goods would not exist, if there were not buyers My Microsoft 7 is licensed.

My Microsoft 7 is also licensed, but that does not give me the right to say that everyone else's isn't.

[NewlyMintedThai]

Bail is set by the police.

Accused gets it back when they show up for court.

If you think a police colonel out to "fleece" someone would choose a cashier at a two-bit stall in a mall, you don't have a clue.

There are much better ways for a cop to make a much bigger buck.

There is zero in this clip that says extortion. Nothing. Zilch. Nada.

[OzMick]

Bail is set by the police.

Accused gets it back when they show up for court.

If you think a police colonel out to "fleece" someone would choose a cashier at a two-bit stall in a mall, you don't have a clue.

There are much better ways for a cop to make a much bigger buck.

There is zero in this clip that says extortion. Nothing. Zilch. Nada.

Bail is set by the police. They also set penalties, make rulings on civil matters, and collect payments (less commission). Most matters never get anywhere near a court, or justice for that matter as whoever is willing to pay the biggest bribe always wins. 3 cheers for the RTP!

[NewlyMintedThai]

Interesting.

So what are those thousands of cases being heard at court houses all around the country on a daily basis all about, exactly?

[I Like Thai]

She is not selling counterfeit good, she was just a vendor.

Anyway, if she was, she would not post this video which reveal her identity.

It shows that police don't care about doing their job. You can sell anything including child porn as soon as you pay the police.

Would this argument hold up if the vendor was selling a child to a pedophile. If not, then it doesn't hold up here. The law isn't allowed to distinguish between the two.

Neither am I saying that the vendor should be hung drawn and quartered. This is about the behaviour of the police and I don't see anything that they have done wrong. Seems like bail was set, that her lawyer paid. She will have her day in court, her bail will be returned and she will probably get a small fine.

[NewlyMintedThai]

She is not selling counterfeit good, she was just a vendor.

Anyway, if she was, she would not post this video which reveal her identity.

It shows that police don't care about doing their job. You can sell anything including child porn as soon as you pay the police.

Would this argument hold up if the vendor was selling a child to a pedophile. If not, then it doesn't hold up here. The law isn't allowed to distinguish between the two.

Neither am I saying that the vendor should be hung drawn and quartered. This is about the behaviour of the police and I don't see anything that they have done wrong. Seems like bail was set, that her lawyer paid. She will have her day in court, her bail will be returned and she will probably get a small fine.

By golly, someone gets it!

[OzMick]

Interesting.

So what are those thousands of cases being heard at court houses all around the country on a daily basis all about, exactly?

More than interesting, fact. There are many more cases being decided by police than courts, and that is a perfect recipe for corruption.

[KuhnPaen]

This would never have been a problem with the police if the copyright owner had not filed a complaint. Now the police are put in a position to save face and look like they are actually doing their job. Police all over the world have quotas to fill--even in the West. How many cops have to give out traffic tickets to keep money flowing in? These Thai precincts are no different. If you are a Thai beat cop, you are expected to go out and supplement your meager income. I'm not saying it's right, but it i what it is, and it probably won't change. Whether it's getting part of a jet ski scam, shaking down a farang for tossing a cigarette butt, or raiding a nightclub or brothel that isn't paying the tea money. That's the reality in many countries. How can you honestly expect Thai cops to be held up to some kind of Western standard? When I go to Mexico, I don't even question the Federal police when they openly stick their hand out for money. I just pay my toll and go. When I am in Thailand, I get stopped on Sukhumvit from time to time for a "bag search". I speak fluent Thai and Isaan and I have good local connections so I can usually get out of it. I got ticketed 2,000 baht for littering one time, and my GF stepped in and we haggled it down to 200. Being indignant would have made it way worse. If you get arrested there, money buys you out for almost anything short of murder--and to me that's a good thing. I would love to have the option in the States of getting into a bar fight and just slipping the cop a hundred bucks to let me go. Police corruption can be a friend if you need it. if you don't have the cash, be prepared for some hard times. I ain't sayin it's right--but it's the reality. Why act so shocked? If this girl was smart, she would start haggling and I'll bet she can get out for 10,000 baht.

Yes, I expect to be flamed for this viewpoint. Whatever.

[NewlyMintedThai]

Interesting.

So what are those thousands of cases being heard at court houses all around the country on a daily basis all about, exactly?

More than interesting, fact. There are many more cases being decided by police than courts, and that is a perfect recipe for corruption.

Interesting statistic. Do you have a source for it?

In any case, no one is saying that there is a huge problem with police corruption in the RTP. No one is saying that the girl in question hasn't faced it in the past or might in the future.

All anyone is saying is that none of it was captured on that video clip. There's nothing there that deviates from standard, by-the-book criminal procedure.

[scotto]

We all know the place is corrupt as hell live with it or go home

because it will never never NEVER change!!!

and that my freinds is the end of it.

[lemoncake]

We all know the place is corrupt as hell live with it or go home

because it will never never NEVER change!!!

and that my freinds is the end of it.

Excellent verdict only no one is saying its not corrupt.

The main and only point is while no doubt they were looking for a bribe, they used legal terms and manner, in which they demanded bail money or remand.

On the surface no corruption at all.

[Andre0720]

She is not selling counterfeit good, she was just a vendor.

Anyway, if she was, she would not post this video which reveal her identity.

It shows that police don't care about doing their job. You can sell anything including child porn as soon as you pay the police.

Would this argument hold up if the vendor was selling a child to a pedophile. If not, then it doesn't hold up here. The law isn't allowed to distinguish between the two.

Neither am I saying that the vendor should be hung drawn and quartered. This is about the behaviour of the police and I don't see anything that they have done wrong. Seems like bail was set, that her lawyer paid. She will have her day in court, her bail will be returned and she will probably get a small fine.

Reality check.

In Thailand, there is a big difference between selling counterfeit goods and the doings of a paedophile. Big difference.

Police concentrate on crimes with victims. They hardly consider that taking a few bahts from Bill Gates is a big problem, Or from Louis Vuitton for that matter...

[FarangTalk]

She is not selling counterfeit good, she was just a vendor.

Anyway, if she was, she would not post this video which reveal her identity.

It shows that police don't care about doing their job. You can sell anything including child porn as soon as you pay the police.

Would this argument hold up if the vendor was selling a child to a pedophile. If not, then it doesn't hold up here. The law isn't allowed to distinguish between the two.

Neither am I saying that the vendor should be hung drawn and quartered. This is about the behaviour of the police and I don't see anything that they have done wrong. Seems like bail was set, that her lawyer paid. She will have her day in court, her bail will be returned and she will probably get a small fine.

Reality check.

In Thailand, there is a big difference between selling counterfeit goods and the doings of a paedophile. Big difference.

Police concentrate on crimes with victims. They hardly consider that taking a few bahts from Bill Gates is a big problem, Or from Louis Vuitton for that matter...

I was offered counterfeit films of underage girls performing sex acts in Panthip Plaza.

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