One wonders what other less corrupt members of ASEAN think of these sad statements. It certainly doesn't send a positive "hey come here and invest, we'll take care of you" message now, does it?

In any respectable country that remark alone would have forced the DPM or any other politician to resign immediately. On the other hand, Chalerm is an unusually wealthy former police officer, which suggest he made most of his fortune from red envelopes at Chinese new year, therefore one cannot be surprised that he defends this practise. Ironically he is also the man in charge of stamping out corruption, presumably in 3 months time (starting after Chinese new year of course).

I bet Yingluck and Thaksin will stay very quiet on this one :-)

So, turning up in uniform and demanding cash, when wearing guns, is legal?

Let's try it at immigration.

His comments predict the end of Thailand and a totally failed state.

My wife saw Chalerm's interview on TV. His last words when talking to the press were, 'Foreigners - he used the word farang - don't understand because they are not generous or thoughtful.'

In Thai the word <Thai script removed> is pronounced 'nam jai'.

Clearly this man is a dangerous, bigoted, foul mouthed idiot.

If it's okay for the Police Inspector to hunt in National Parks against protected species, what harm can there be in sucking a bit of tea money out of Indians? Let's face it they are brilliant at the reverse aspect of that... getting money out of the public.

The presenting of money as a gift in a red envelope may be tradition during the Chinese New Year, Mr. Chalerm, but DEMANDING cash is NOT. Once money is DEMANDED, it ceases to be a gift that is presented to the recipient through the giver's free will.

But why am I not at all surprised to hear that rather twisted and ridiculous statement from you, Mr. Chalerm?

That man is definitely off the rails and has lost any touch for morality whatsoever.

So why have these cops just been handed suspended jails sentences of 7 days and 30 days respectively and been ordered to serve 180 days of community service ?

http://www.dailynews...th/crime/184218

I guess Chalerm was led to believe they were Chinese

If it is acceptable on Chinese New Year, does that mean its not on Thai?

Also on calendar New Year, is it acceptable to say NO?

Yes, but only if you have a few news reporters next to you!

The presenting of money as a gift in a red envelope may be tradition during the Chinese New Year, Mr. Chalerm, but DEMANDING cash is NOT. Once money is DEMANDED, it ceases to be a gift that is presented to the recipient through the giver's free will.

But why am I not at all surprised to hear that rather twisted and ridiculous statement from you, Mr. Chalerm?

That man is definitely off the rails and has lost any touch for morality whatsoever.

To avoid any confusion, most civilised countries have made it illegal for police and other officials to accept any form of payment from the public, no matter if it is a gift or by demand. Try giving a gift of say 100 euro to a danish or swedish police officer next time they approach you for any reason, and see what happens. Coincidentially these are also among the least corrupt countries in the world!

That happens if the police (and others) have a DPM by his balls for letting a murderous offspring go free and even join said force.

Just accept that the man is a total Prick (with connections) and don't both to comment further!

Deputy PM defending birbery??? PMs brother is a wanted fugitive??? Is this really the administration the Thai people want ruling their country?

Evidently, corrupt thuggery is admired and respected here.

Thaksin is allies with the police, so it is little surprise his lackey would defend the right of police to extort money from citizens. Thaksin was greatly served by the police in their refusal to stop the red mob, especially in bringing in weapons and explosives to their 'protest'. Similarly when faced with an anti Thaksin protest the police came out in force and did a good job defending his interest. It is a patron client relationship, the police did their part for their master in Dubia, now Thaksin's lackey defends their right to collect their payment. Not from Thaksin of course, but from the common people of the country.

It's still a protection racket shake down, no matter how they twist the phrasing.

Well technically it's not bribery, just extortion...

http://en.wikipedia....alerm_Yubamrung

and finally acquitted as the court considered the evidence insufficient and the witnesses accounts contradictory.

More like the judges had guns pointed at their heads........ by daddy and same son.....

-mel.

I notice the "other" paper isn't even mentioning it.

The Thai people voted these clowns into office.

So the Thai people have the government they wanted and deserve.

I can not believe the stuff that comes out of this idiots mouth. How he is allowed to stay in office or at the very less say a word to the press is a miracle. They should have muzzled this moron a long time ago.

It is OK on Chinese New Years, but not on Thai New Years or Dec 31 when the rest of the world celebrates New Years.

A trip down memory lane: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,185060,00.html

A trip down memory lane: http://www.time.com/...,185060,00.html

Which includes from the 2001 article.

His reputation remains unsavory and he has been passed over for a Cabinet post by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Fast forward to 2013 and it's:

His reputation STILL remains unsavory, but despite that, he has been richly rewarded with the TOP Cabinet post by the "real" Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

.

UPDATE:

Cops just chose 'wrong shop'

THE NATION

Ang pao is Thai tradition, Chalerm says, but shop-owner was Indian

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung yesterday played down the case of three police who demanded ang pao from a suit shop, saying there was nothing wrong with people giving ang pao.

Chalerm, who supervises the Royal Thai Police, said it was impossible to prevent police from receiving ang pao or gift-money from Chinese businessmen on the occasion of the Chinese New Year. Businessmen or shop owners, he said, were willing to offer the gifts.

Chalerm said the case of three police from Bang Rak station, who made headlines because they went to beg for gift money, just involved the "wrong shop" - as it had an Indian owner, not a Chinese.

On Sunday, the three police were caught on a security camera in the suit shop demanding ang pao from the shop owner in front of a Nation television journalist.

"They shouldn't have asked for it. They asked for it at the wrong place. Chinese New Year is a celebration for Chinese people - but they asked for ang pao from an Indian shop owner. They were not smart. It became an issue because they went to the wrong place," Chalerm said.

The deputy PM said the three officers would have been regarded as having committed wrongdoing if they had extorted the money or forced the shop owner to pay them.

"In that case, action would have been taken against them - and if their action warranted firing, they would not be spared," Chalerm said.

The three police walked away without receiving the money after the shop owner told them that a reporter was present.

Chalerm said he was not defending the three police but he would never be able to do away with the practice of police receiving ang pao money from Chinese businessmen or shop owners.

"This is a social norm. They always give gift money on the occasion of Chinese New Year," Chalerm said.

The deputy prime minister said he did not believe the three officers were collecting the money for their boss but simply making a claim to ask for money.

"It's just a specific case for these officers. So, please don't play it up," Chalerm said.

Asked if he would reform the Royal Thai Police following a series of scandals involving police - including charges that a senior officer hunted with poachers in a national park - Chalerm said it was normal to have a small number of bad cops among the good ones.

"There are a lot of police officers, so some are bad. The wrongdoers must be punished while the ones with good performances must receive rewards," Chalerm said.

"There's no need to overhaul the Royal Thai Police. Police are now enjoying a good image. Only some low-ranking officers are bad and they need to be punished."

The Metropolitan Police have increased the penalties on the three police - a crime suppression inspector and two police senior sergeant majors.

Pol Maj General Wallop Prathummuang, the commander of Metropolitan Police Division 6, said a fact-finding panel from his division decided to increase the detention penalty against Pol Lt Col Pongsak Subindee, an inspector of the Bang Rak police, from three days to seven. He will also be seconded to an inactive position at the Metropolitan Police head office for 180 days.

Wallop said Pol Sen Sgt Maj Prasarn Koeimuang and Pol Sen Sgt Maj Anuchit Muenyuth would also see their detention penalty increased. They will also be seconded to inactive positions at Metropolitan Police Division 6.

Wallop said Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Lt General Khamronwit Thoopkrajang had approved the increased penalties.

Royal Thai Police spokeman Pol Maj General Piya Uthayo said police would provide protection for the suit shop owner.

Wallop said the disciplinary probes and actions against the three were over now that they had been disciplined.

He said Bang Rak station chief Pol Col Ratchapol Bunnag had testified to the investigative panel that he did not order his subordinates to demand the money, so he would not face any investigation.

-- The Nation 2013-02-13

So the Police are gong to provide the protection for the shop owner.....from the Police?

Dear oh dear.

"There's no need to overhaul the Royal Thai Police. Police are now enjoying a good image. Only some low-ranking officers are bad and they need to be punished."

Right, they are a legend in their own minds.

"There's no need to overhaul the Royal Thai Police. Police are now enjoying a good image. Only some low-ranking officers are bad and they need to be punished."

My advice to Chalerm would be to step away from the ear medication. Is it remotely possible that he actually believes that statement? If so things are worse than I thought. Between endless corruption stories, drug dealing cops with trucks full of yaba, and the police selling off Burmese refugees, I personally would have thought the police image was at an all time low. Nice touch at the end of the article about the police protecting the shop from the police !!!!!!!!

" Pol Col Ratchapol Bunnag had testified to the investigative panel that he did not order his subordinates to demand the money, so he would not face any investigation."

AKA the honour system, honour being something you gain when your rank rises from Lt-colonel to Colonel.

" Pol Col Ratchapol Bunnag had testified to the investigative panel that he did not order his subordinates to demand the money, so he would not face any investigation."

AKA the honour system, honour being something you gain when your rank rises from Lt-colonel to Colonel.

That's an interesting surname....

What an absolute disgrace.

Excused by another absolute disgrace.

Dear oh dear oh dear

I am intrigued by Chalerm's claim that they chose the wrong shop. I suspect that every shop in the precinct was receiving a friendly visit.

"three police officers “requesting” money from an Indian tailor shop owner, claimed that said behavior was acceptable during the Chinese New Year"

1. It is Chinese New Year and giving the gifts of money is a "CHINESE CUSTOM";

2. This didn't happen in China;

3. The crooks were Thai and;

4. The victim was Indian and not Chinese.

I fail to see the Chinese connect in this extortion between Chinese new year and three corrrupt cops operating in Thailand against Indians.

lastly gift are given freely and not demanded from.

This Charlerm guy is the one who cleaned up the mafia and corruption in 90 days.