Farang Tourist Police Volunteers

[wcr]

I'm not sure which forum to go in with this one so I'll take the plunge in here!

For those of you who are not living in or have not visited Pattaya recently, you won't have noticed that walking around the Walking Street area you will find several farangs wearing Tourist Police Volunteer shirts and working as volunteers. They have a power of arrest, and do so, and work undercover too I am led to believe.

I am wondering what the view is here about this situation, for it or against it? I'll let you know my feelings later on in the thread.

[george]

wcr, I don't believe a word of this! No farang in Thailand have the power of arrest, except a few people at the airport etc. Do you have any more information about this, as it's prime news for me and well worth a front page, if true!

Troll?

[wcr]

George

Don't take my word for it, walk down walking street in the evening and you will see them. They don't work every night so I can't say when they will be there. One guy I know, his name is Howard and he is the presenter of Pattaya City News one of the local TV news programmes, I have seen two others but know nothing of these two. Howard was a police volunteer in the UK. They call them "Specials"

TRUE!!!

[FIGJAM]

They have a power of arrest, and do so,

To arrest other farangs (that wouldn't surprise me that much, farangs are almost like cattle with little or no rights) or also Thais (that I would find very hard to believe, to say the least)?

Anyway, I have always despised those "volunteers" down in Pattaya (some of whom are not volunteers at all, they are just being blackmailed by the Thai authorities) practically as much as I despise the "proper" Thai cops...

"Trying to help", eh?

Help to do what? To enforce illiberal laws (when not actually _breaking_ the laws) in illiberal/illegal ways for the benefit of private interests?

Ciao, FIGJAM.

[monty]

Yep George,

I have witnessed one so called Farang volunteer execute a so called arrest!

He put on the cuffs allright...

Obviously they don't have the power of arresting people in Thailand, there will always be a real cop around who'll end up being the arresting officer on paper.

They do look pretty official with a set of cuffs, a police radio etc...no weapon luckily!

In the case I witnessed the tourist who got cuffed certainly deserved so since he was driving a big racing motorbike on walking street during the traffic free hours, and got real obnoxious when he was told in a friendly manner to get of his bike and proceed without engine power.

The only thing what I'm concerned about is wether these volunteers have had any training in law enforcement??? What happens if some low-life gets to be in that team and starts abusing his gained powers???

I would be curious about the legal status of these guys though...

Of interest as well is the big police volunteer force they have in Pattaya, all Thai nationals, you won't recognise the from a regular police officer (same uniform, without weapon). The only training they get as far as I know is a 3 hour speed course! Wouldn't you want to have people like them to uphold law and order???

[dtoodnut]

That is messed up!!

There are always collaborators and dickless guys that just have to wear a badge even if they aren't getting paid for it. Usually guys that were bullied and had older brothers farting in their face & whatnot. The old hall patrols in High School. We used to love to come across these candy assed hall patrols on the weekend. We always made sure to give them a beating that didn't leave marks. Still, their word alone usually led to us getting a good paddling, but it was worth terrorizing these little authoratarians. Try to avoid any male clingons or people chatting you up about unsavory or illegal activity or passing opinions about the Thai Govt. or the Royal Family.

What are they arresting people for at the Walking street? You have to be blowing a doobie, pissing or pooping in public to get arrested there.

One more reason to hang in more low key areas and just keep to youself and the charming pooyings. Why go to discos, the walking street, or anyplace when the bars to either side of your hotel is crawling with georgeous Isan gals, ice cold Carlsbergs and great food from the street vendors.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

wcr, I don't believe a word of this! No farang in Thailand have the power of arrest, except a few people at the airport etc. Do you have any more information about this, as it's prime news for me and well worth a front page, if true!

Troll?

Looks like you gotta make a trip to downtown Pattaya George. This sounds just the thing for you...Super Agent George

[wcr]

OK, now I should come clean after seeing some of the comments, although no one has really said its wrong or right.

I have been approached to also become a volunteer. I used to be a police officer in the U.S and have some specialist experience also. I actually think its a good idea, if it is done with the right attidude. I agree that this may attract ther wrong type of people and I have no idea how the Tourist Police 'vet' the potential recruits. I would like to do it as a way of helping both the tourist/expat community. If I can help to stop these idiot farang drug dealers or farang involved in crime I will be more than happy to do this. Also I want to be able to help in some way with the victims of crime, and just to generally help people who have had a bad experience. I think that being a volunteer will allow me to do this. However, I have some reservations.

Am I exposing myself to something that may do me harm in some way?

What are your views on this, am I mad?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

wcr you'll be on your own if something goes wrong and you get hurt. Pissheads in the farang community there might not take your pro bono publico work too well. Be careful.

[Guest chingy]

why on earth do you want to be a Tourist Police Volunteer, i just hope you don't bump into one of those Thai mafia, or a bunch of kid gang bang, they have no respect for the Thai authority, so what make you think they will have respect for those so call Police Volunteer.

[wcr]

dr_pat_pong

Thank for the concerns, frankly pissed farang don't worry me, had years of dealing with them in the past, and I don't think I will be on my own, plus I'm still fairly young, 40. The hurm is really about maybe exposure to Thai authorities. Could being involved backfire for me? My lawyer, who is well conected says no and it can only do me good and is fully behind the idea, especially with my experience. However as I've said, I'm not to sure.

[wilson steer]

Are you sure you are not getting mixed up with American Navy Military Police who patrol up and down Walking street, trying to stop the Americans from showing themselves up by drinking too much and starting fights with German tourists?

If there really are falang police I'm sure it would be reported in the Pattaya Mail or on the Pattaya News Channel on cable T.V.

It sounds a crazy idea, there is no way a falang could touch a Thai, and any trouble makers in Thailand are crazy to be making trouble anyway, and a falang polceman would surely inflame the situation.

In all fairness, I have seen very little trouble on Walking Street in my entire life. The real trouble starts after 2.00 a.m. when local Thai gangs and the mafia wake up, then there are muggings and motorcycle bag snatchers etc.

Those hours between 2 a.m. and daybreak are risky in Pattaya for sure.

[bartender100]

iv'e seen the english guy arrest thai vendors,shoeshine boys,and the like.The thai's don't like him around WS.

[Guest IT Manager]

Lucky for him that he hasn't been done in already. Whats wrong with people to even think about it?

[wcr]

wilson steer, please give me some credit, I know the difference between US Military and Farang Thai Police Volunteers. There seems to be some disbelief by several posters that this is actually happening. IT IS!!!

They don't only patrol WS, they go elsewhere as well, and as I say they also work undercover (someone said to me that they use them to catch these sexy shows etc.) I do think its sad to arrest shoe shine boys, and I personally will have a problem with doing this, and indeed this is another reservation of mine.

As I have been writing this it has dawned on me that I need to ask them what they would expect of me, and then I can decide. I wasn't aware that they arrested the shoe shine people

[george]

Another issue: Do these farang cops have work permits? All work in Thailand, even voluntary work, requires a valid work permit according to the Labour Law.

[davethailand]

I,VE SEEN HOWARD RIDING UP AND DOWN WALKING STREET TRYING TO LOOK IMPORTANT, I,VE ONLY BEEN HERE 3 YEARS AND I HAVE A VERY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS NEAR WALKING ST, I ALSO KNOW MOST OF THE OWNERS (FARANG & THAI) IN THE AREA, I THINK MORE POLICING IS A GREAT IDEA BUT WHY ONLY IN WALKING ST, IS IT SO THEY CAN LOOK IMPORTANT IN FRONT OF PEOPLE IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE PROPER POLICE CAN DIG THEM OUT OF THE HOLES THAT THEY MIGHT GET INTO. I'D PUT MONEY THAT THESE VOLUNTEERS WON,T BE TAKING CARE OF WALKING ST OR BEACH RD AFTER 3AM.

THERE IS'NT A MASSIVE CRIME PROBLEM IN WALKING ST APART FROM MOTORBIKES BEING RIDEN AT A SNAILS PACE AFTER 7 PM OR THE NORMAL DRUNKEN IDIOTS SHOWING OFF, WHY NOT PATROL THE OTHER AREAS TO PROTECT PEOPLE GOING HOME AT NIGHT.

THE CITY POLICE AND THAI TOURIST POLICE ARE MORE THAN CAPABLE OF COVERING WALKING ST IN THE PEAK HOURS.

AS FOR THEM HAVING THE POWER TO ARREST, WHAT A STUPID IDEA, I'M NOT A SMALL GUY AND CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF AS EVERYONE CAN, BUT I DEFINATLY WOULD NOT TRY TO ARREST A THAI PERSON IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY, A THAI WOULD LOSE ALOT OF FACE AND PROBABLY GET VERY ANGRY.

I HOPE FOR THERE OWN SAFETY THEY USE THEIR BRAINS AND RELY ON THE THAI POLICE TO DETAIN PEOPLE.

IN MY OWN BUSINESS EVERYNIGHT I SEE GUYS THAT I WOULD LEAVE WELL ALONE.

[wcr]

George, what you say about work permits is not true. You can get special dispensation from the Thai Labour Ministry to do voluntary work without a work permit. I am a member of Pattaya City Expats Club and there are about 30 of us volunteering to teach English to school kids in Pattaya schools as well as getting involved with giving City Hall employees and local Thai newspaper reporters practice at speaking and listening to English to add to the lessons they are recieving. We are all in the process of getting approved and being issued with the notice from the Labour Ministry in Chonburi. I guess the same applies to these guys as thier work is seen as an asset to the community and government bodies?

As far as Howard is concerned, I've seen him on his bike riding around too, and also on New Years Eve leading a large group of volunteers (all Thai) in the Bali Pier area. He also goes out with Pattaya City Police after 2am when they leave the WS area I am told.

[davidm]

Great. Where do I sign up and what's my cut of the policemen's benevolent fund? BTW, what's a doobie and shouldn't she be blowing you?

Seriously, though. I've never heard such cr@p in my life. Foreigners appointed as policemen in Thailand? Powers to arrest? Can even give orders to Thais? Even the US naval patrols can't arrest their own citizens on Thai soil. The offending sailor complies with orders because he knows what awaits him aboard ship if he refuses.

About ten years ago, there was a scam organised by a Swede and a Brit who used to go around in fake police uniforms and extort money. Can't remember if Thais were accomplices. Do know the Brit was killed.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

dr_pat_pong

Thank for the concerns, frankly pissed farang don't worry me, had years of dealing with them in the past, and I don't think I will be on my own, plus I'm still fairly young, 40. The hurm is really about maybe exposure to Thai authorities. Could being involved backfire for me? My lawyer, who is well conected says no and it can only do me good and is fully behind the idea, especially with my experience. However as I've said, I'm not to sure.

You have training and experience...your fellow volunteers won't have those benefits. I just hope that it doesn't attract the loonie fringe to the ranks

[mjcl]

The idea of having farang police volunteers could be of some good, if, very big if too, they are used as a go between, between the Thai police and the farangs. A very good working knowledge of the Thai language would be essential so that the farang in trouble, or in need of assistance could communicate his problems properly.

As to farang volunteers patrolling walking street or other haunts, this I feel is a bad idea, as has been pointed out, the danger of falling foul of the local mafia and ending up being fished out of Mabprachan, is very real.

[adjan jb]

Farang police volunteers ?????????

We'd better call them "dead men walking". They won't live long.

[eyebee]

One of the jobs that some (not all) of these farang police volunteers have been used for is to go undercover into go-go bars and see if any nipples are showing. If there are they take discreet pictures on their mobile phones and then call in the boys in brown to bust the place.

Those who do this I call trators to farangkind!

But if their only job is to help farangs in trouble and act as translators, or even just talk to farangs in their own language, then I'm all for it. Say you get ripped off in a bar, you might find it easier talking to another farang than a Thai copper, who might not understand exactly what you're getting at. So I hope the volunteers are fluent in Thai as well as their own language.

Just my 2 satang worth.

[wcr]

The undercover thing I have heard about. I'm not sure if its these volunteers that go undercover in the gogo bars, but I do know they use farang to do this. I've heard they are paid 5000 Baht to do this, take video film etc on hiden camera's. I've been told that they use farang who are indebited somehow to the police, (pay back time). You can't believe everything you hear however.

[eyebee]

Well a farang voluteer policeman that I know was asked to do this. Luckily he refused so he can still remain a friend!

[wcr]

eyebee,

As you know someone who you call a friend who does this, maybe you can explain a little about how it works, what they have to do, thier powes etc. if you are able to please?

cheers

[davethailand]

these volunteers snooping on the gogo bars must be completely stupid or maybe they just have a death wish, some of the people involved in the gogo bars are not to be messed with.

i have friends who own and run gogo bars in pattaya and bangkok and i won't hesitate in showing them who these sneaks are, why have they come to pattaya if all they want to do is ruin peoples businesses and put many thais (all with families to support) out of work.

they should **** off back to where they came from.

sad bastards

[terdsak_12]

Firstly if I sign up do I get a gun? if not then forget it.

Something about Farangs busting Farangs isn't right, same like ratting on your friends, I've always believed us Farangs should stick together as the locals do.

Wouldn't surprise me if someone got lynched sooner or later.

Also don't you hate the Farangs that keep going on how well connected they are, until the shit hits the fan that.

[manfromoz]

No-one seems to be making the difference between the actual police (men in brown) and the tourist police.

The tourist police main object to to assist the forigner who gets into trouble, not go around arresting them, that the others job.

I have witnessed the falung volunteers and they are always accompanied by at least 2 Thai Tourist Boys who carry all the armory and radios. From what I have seen the foreigner is only there to assist with their own countrymen (or at least non-thai people). From this I doubt very much they have powers to arrest anyone.

I have never witnessed the tourist Police arrest any street vendors either. Not saying they don't or can't I just never witnessed it. I have seen them take some to the local Police for questioning and then maybe they were detained, but the detaining was by the local boys not the tourist ones.

Also, I have spoken to many falung who have had problems with the local police and called the tourist police for assitance and been very happen with the help they have been given. so much so they no longer ringing the local boys not thay just go straight to the tourist police.

As for the safety issue, I think anyone in a uniform, whether Thai or Foreign is always in danger in any country.

[wcr]

manfromoz

Thank you for your comments. They are sensible and what you have said is exactly the reason I think its a good idea to have farang Tourist Police Volunteers patroling in uniform in the popular tourist areas. I would expect these people have policing experience in their own countries then I wouldn't have a problem with it. As I have said earlier its about the type of people they may taking on. I don't know what the Torist Police are looking for from these farang volunteers. They DO have a power of arrest, as others in this post have said as well as me.

Davethailand Don't jump to conclusions! No one has said these Police volunteers are snooping on gogo bars. What I have said is the the police do use farang to do this, I know this is a fact, and they are paid 5000 Baht for thier time. I know these volunteers are used for undercover work sometimes, but I don't know what type of work.

As far as farangs sticking together, what a load of crap. You are just as likely to get ripped of by a farang here as you are a Thai. I for one would not protect a farang that was committing crime, it goes against everything I know and believe in. Yes of course farang should help each other, that is why I am also a member of Pattaya City Ex-Pats Club, but within reason. If you blindly support a farang no matter what just because they are farang then you're a fool.