Nana Police officers on the run after abducting Italian tourists and demanding Bt2m ransom

[culicine]

The smart cops let the Italians talk to others in Italian, but did not have anyone who spoke Italian to monitor what they said. Oh! That's right they had a falang to help them.

As said already not the sharpest tools in the shed.

The cops assumed that farangs speak "pasah farang" ...so the Uzbeki can understand it all:)

If the cops don't protect tourists, who will? Hope this spreads through foreign press but I'm guessing it won't.

[Bender]

and in a week, the rose tinted glasses will open a new thread about why you, farang, always badmouth

this country, why you dont stop complaining and leave. And some will add all these horrible story

(abduction, police planting drugs, murder, rape) that you heard on a barstool are just myths, and did never happen.

ps: nothing surprise me anymore in this chaotic country.

Edited August 23, 2013 by Bender

[55Jay]

Arrest all the police as every single one is corrupt. Bring in the Army to control the people. Rename the country Burma as it is now available and begin systematically killing anyone who does not believe in the army.In my opinion this is the only way to tackle this problem!

Pretty edgy stuff there. I'm afraid if I hit the "LIKE" button, I'll have a squad of BiB rapell through my windows and drag me off to internet jail.

[GentlemanJim]

About the Thong Lor-police. I have had one experience with them I´d like to share. Please note: I am not a Thai-apologist (anyone reading my former posts will see that hopefully).

Two years ago after a session at the gym in Windsor Suites Hotel, I stopped on my way home at a bar in soi 22. I parked my Honda CBR 250 on the soi in the front. In the bar were two policemen from Thong Lor police-station - in uniform and drinking. We, hehhe, became drinking friends that night and I ended up so drunk I gave my motorcycle key to the guys after they suggestede that they take care of the motorbike since I was drunk.

Unbelievably, I agreed. The next day I went to Thong Lor police station to pick up my Honda. The two policemen were out on a job, so a hi ranking female police lady took care of me until they returned. She took me into her office, gave me coffee and started to chat me up.

The two policemen came back to the station, and they were all smiling and friendly. Before I took of with my Honda, which they had taken care of and not driven more than a couple kilometers (I checked), the female police officer gave me her card with her mobile number on it and an invite to dinner sometime....

I am sorry I have never followed up on it...

Maybe I am feeling dull but.................I don't get it

[tingtongfarang]

no such thing as nana police though the article does mention lumpini later.

its rather funny really as the wording suggests that bad nana police committed the crime, while good lumpini police saved the day.

in fact nana police are from lumpini station.

interestingly, if they were apprehended at soi 57 sukhumvit, the responding police should have been from thonglor station.

By all accounts the bib at thonglor are even more corrupt, please dont call them police...in essence thailand does not have a police force in the true sense.

I always refer to them as a revenue collection agency, not a law enforcement agency. One of these years the government is going to have to get serious about paying them a real salary, giving them state of the art forensic equipment and labs, and hiring specialists who can perform the work. Until then, the LOS remains the laughing stock of the world in terms of law enforcement. Of course, they will have to improve the courts too. Until then, little in the way of a deterrent.

Paying them a real salery? do you really think to give them more money would stop them being hardened criminals? i rather think they would consider is a small bonus and carry on as before, they are way past reform...infact light years past.

Edited August 23, 2013 by tingtongfarang

[Just1Voice]

I'm totally shocked that the Minister of Tourism hasn't come out - again - and demaded that the news media stop publishing stories like that because it tarnishes the image and reputation of this wonderful country

[landslide]

When my wife, who is Thai, arrived in the USA, I told her that if she ever had any problem, she should find a police officer and ask for help. I told her that she could trust them completely. I had a hard time convincing her that she of that. I finally had my brother, who is a cop, take her on a tour of his precinct and introduce her to other officers. She told me that the police culture is very different than Thailand. In Thailand, it is accepted that if you needed help on an issue, it is best to "grease the wheels" to get attention. It is just an accepted fact to her.

[jaywalker]

"There's fire and ice on all sides of the spectrum, i love the fact that i can get caught speeding here and pay 200 baht for my misdemeanor, i can do this over and over, back home i would have lost my license by now plus a few grand. Like." You are the same as those that we who still can summon up some moral outrage deplore. Your (relative) wealth grants you immunity, so you seem to lack a basic understanding that perhaps laws against speeding are there for public safety, and not there to make your life uncomfortable. You have the same attitude as the son of Red Bull who most of us despise. You should lose your license if you can't follow the rules. No brainer.

I just quit driving.

Can't believe I used to try it over here........Taxi's & buses everywhere you look. Been shook down by the cops so many times it ain't even funny.

Some prick with no driver's license on a scooter nailed my wife in the driver's door of my Toyota..

Guess who had to pay?

Cops clipped me for 10,000 baht because she had a farang name on her license. They actually said that to her. You have farang name. You have big money.

Working with the Army & Air Force over here right now. Also the Marine Corps at times. Got 5 local guys & I'm the TOP technician.

Cannot, for the life of me, get them to listen to reason.

I get mad as a hornet

They say "Jai yen yen!"

I say, "you have the pittman arm tied on with a fan belt! a rod (no bolt or bushing) in the upper control arm & a parking brake rotor on the left rear caliper".

Ain't no hope for them.

Got my honey bunny Thai wife & an 8 year old baby here, so I put up with them...........barely.

Only thing I will drive here is military trucks. Cops are terrified to pull me over.

Just never let the Army get full control.............It would only get worse.

I love 3rd world countries/developing nations.

Headed to Chile next.

I suppose some countries just ain't ready for democracy.........Some need dictators.

My wife is a red shirt..........because her friend said she should be.

Utterly clueless. I still love her though.

I have no political views, as they seem to be useless & just the thugs get the power anyhow.

I should be more of a thug. Put money in my pocket.

[jaywalker]

When my wife, who is Thai, arrived in the USA, I told her that if she ever had any problem, she should find a police officer and ask for help. I told her that she could trust them completely. I had a hard time convincing her that she of that. I finally had my brother, who is a cop, take her on a tour of his precinct and introduce her to other officers. She told me that the police culture is very different than Thailand. In Thailand, it is accepted that if you needed help on an issue, it is best to "grease the wheels" to get attention. It is just an accepted fact to her.

My nephew is a deputy Sheriff.in Florida.

I threatened him with strangulation if he ever abused his badge.

He's terrified of me & his Dad is dead,

Good guy....I can just picture that kid (he's 30) at Nana Plaza!

[SMSinBangkok]

I just wanted to share a nice experience with the Thong Lor police...

Sent from my GTI Turbo Quadruple Exhaust Phone made by Donald Duck

[hawker9000]

I am at awe, every day anew, at reading how great Thai people are in ruining their own and their country's reputation.

Shame on that Uzbek guy and the Thais involved - may they face maximum penalty with their faces and full names out in the open for everyone to see and be excluded from the possibility of parole and pardon.

I believe that a vital info was given in this topic by a member (evildrsomkid). Thus I humbly ask to repost this info in my message a bit more detailed: Seems there is a new scam going on all over Thailand involving ATMs - an ATM card will be lying on the floor in front of an ATM, with a PIN written on the back. If you try to use this card, police or people dressed as police will approach and take you into custody to squeeze money out of you or your family for alleged ATM fraud. What have we learned today? NEVER pick up any ATM card found near an ATM, however tempting it might be - leave that card on the ground and walk away!!!!!!

Again - one of those days where I just ask myself why I love this country so much and am still here... On the other hand - stuff like this happens all over the world. Just that Thailand does not really need any more bad publicity these days - we have had our fair share already....

Ah yes, someone had to say it. No, stuff like this simply does not happen "all over the world", not with the police actually behind it. The parts of the world where it does happen tend to lose, or are in the process of losing, their appeal for tourists. It hasn't always even happened in Thailand. That one of the perpetrators actually surrendered tells me he's expecting the usual leniency-for-confession treatment, IOW - a slap on the wrist.

But more to the point, this is a pure entrapment scam obviously, and if this scheme exists, then others like it may well appear soon (esp. if punishments aren't harsh; and I don't expect they will be), if they haven't already. I'd say to be sure & note the lesson learned here, but not to focus exclusively on this particular scheme, but rather on the whole idea of things popping up unexpectedly that just seem "too good to be true", or ANY unusual good deals....in other words, "lures". Yeah yeah yeah - we all know what happens in Nana. If we can get past the jokes, then you get the idea. It's kind of an instinct thing. I just can't help but suppose this won't prove to be an isolated event.

Edited August 24, 2013 by metisdead
30) Do not modify someone else's post in your quoted reply, either with font or color changes, added emoticons, or altered wording.

[sz1a]

My Thai friend drove his black Benz through a checkpoint once. Tinted windows, looks like a politician. He just flashed his hi-beams a couple of times and the cops saluted him and let him pass. True story. Thai cops are not smart, you just have to act superior and they will oblige. I have had cops give me change on a 500 baht note for a 100 baht bribe and haggled them down many times. Down south you can even give them the finger. It's the same methodology as for dealing with animals, show no fear and the street dogs/monkeys/cops will fear you instead.

[hawker9000]

My Thai friend drove his black Benz through a checkpoint once. Tinted windows, looks like a politician. He just flashed his hi-beams a couple of times and the cops saluted him and let him pass. True story. Thai cops are not smart, you just have to act superior and they will oblige. I have had cops give me change on a 500 baht note for a 100 baht bribe and haggled them down many times. Down south you can even give them the finger. It's the same methodology as for dealing with animals, show no fear and the street dogs/monkeys/cops will fear you instead.

So, you're suggesting that if these Italians had behaved this way toward these extortionists this wouldn't have happened?

[sz1a]

My Thai friend drove his black Benz through a checkpoint once. Tinted windows, looks like a politician. He just flashed his hi-beams a couple of times and the cops saluted him and let him pass. True story. Thai cops are not smart, you just have to act superior and they will oblige. I have had cops give me change on a 500 baht note for a 100 baht bribe and haggled them down many times. Down south you can even give them the finger. It's the same methodology as for dealing with animals, show no fear and the street dogs/monkeys/cops will fear you instead.

So, you're suggesting that if these Italians had behaved this way toward these extortionists this wouldn't have happened?

Yeah, pretty much.

[Joe Mamma]

As an ex-cop, i find these bad cops despicable. One criminal cop does more damage than 100 civilian criminals. If i was a law enforcement officer here for 45 years i would have made many times over what i earned in the USA.

[wooloomooloo]

A crime is a crime. Doesn't matter who executed the misdeed as we are all born and we all die.

Don't get too hung up on whom is the felon and their occupation.

The one time my wife and I were pulled up, on a moped, was a simple crash helmet and licence exercise.

The policeman had a face like Hitler but he didn't bother us in the slightest as we were fully legal and allowed us on our way within a minute. It was a nice experience, if I'm honest.

Edited August 23, 2013 by wooloomooloo

[zydeco]

A crime is a crime. Doesn't matter who executed the misdeed as we are all born and we all die.

Don't get too hung up on whom is the felon and their occupation.

The one time my wife and I were pulled up, on a moped, was a simple crash helmet and licence exercise.

The policeman had a face like Hitler but he didn't bother us in the slightest as we were fully legal and allowed us on our way within a minute. It was a nice experience, if I'm honest.

Don't worry about actual police abducting and perhaps killing you because you look like a target of opportunity. Because we all eventually die? Are you nuts? There is more accountability in North Korea.

[balo]

Its easy to get away from this , if someone kidnapped me and asked for 10000 baht and I felt my life was in danger I would have paid.

But 2 million baht ? You have to transfer the money and talk to someone first so no way that they could get away with it. I would have contacted my embassy and asked them to call the real police.

[hawker9000]

A crime is a crime. Doesn't matter who executed the misdeed as we are all born and we all die.

Don't get too hung up on whom is the felon and their occupation.

The one time my wife and I were pulled up, on a moped, was a simple crash helmet and licence exercise.

The policeman had a face like Hitler but he didn't bother us in the slightest as we were fully legal and allowed us on our way within a minute. It was a nice experience, if I'm honest.

No! And forgive me, but that's an incredibly ridiculous thing to say. It matters! There's a world of difference! A policeman occupies a special position of trust and power over the rest of the population. He's given that trust and power, whether the general population really approves or not, in order to carry out his duties and to protect us from, and be able to deal with, the bad guys. He has special powers and special rights required for the job, but that enable him to commit more serious crimes more easily than anybody else, IF he's so inclined. If he abuses all that, he has abused his office, the public trust, his uniform, the concept of law enforcement itself, to commit his crime. He's committed a crime a common criminal could not commit. No, it's a special crime in a class by itself, and deserves especially harsh punishment. Impersonating a policeman is almost as bad.

It's nice that you had one pleasant experience with one honest cop. They should all be like that. You need to be a little more understanding of those who DON'T have such nice experiences, which apparently, in Thailand, is a LOT of people! Outrage IS an appropriate response here.

[webfact]

related topic:

Bangkok Police officers suspended over alleged extortion of Italian tourists

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662971-bangkok-police-officers-suspended-over-alleged-extortion-of-italian-tourists/

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

putting my innate cynicism aside for a moment, i wont read past page three, but i would like to point out that despite the endemic corruption not all all thai peace officers are bad.

there are plenty of underpaid, essentially honest men labouring under a reprehensibly corrupt and cynical system who must finance their own transport, uniforms, and weapons on a salary that is entirely laughable.

this is true of most bureaucrats and civil servants in this country.

perhaps if they were offered a living wage, commensurate with the professional classes, and properly equipped, the thai police might not be the villains they are made out to be.

there is no way to justify the actions of the individuals referred to in the OP, however, perhaps there is a way to address the culture that made their crime seem viable necessary.

[Soutpeel]

What scares me is that this occurs at a time when the economy is pretty good. What happens when Thailand enters recession? Not sure I want to hang around to find out.

Thailand is in recession.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23751846

No No No....Dear Yingluck stated catagorically yesterday that Thailand was not in recession and had merely not met targets, if you keep spread rumours like this which hurt Thailands image abroad, she will have no option but to sue you and send round the red shirts and possibly some riot police to change your opinion...

You have been warned

[jackr]

The whole police force needs disbanding immediately. Not fit for purpose.

I agree 100%, but replace them with whom; where would one procure several hundred thousand non-bent Thai Buddhists? If you did, many would defer to the dark side under the system. It is just not realistic in this era to have a decent police force, the system is not set up for it. They lead by example, following the law makers and ministers at the top that are just as conniving.

[chooka]

Its easy to get away from this , if someone kidnapped me and asked for 10000 baht and I felt my life was in danger I would have paid.

But 2 million baht ? You have to transfer the money and talk to someone first so no way that they could get away with it. I would have contacted my embassy and asked them to call the real police.

The real police, your not talking about the BIB are you? I guess that is why the family bypassed the BIB and went for real police.

[Larry001]

Wonderful Thailand. Something new everyday

[mikemac]

I wonder if the Italians were nicely dressed? Italian men wear expensive clothes and I am thinking the cops picked on these guys because they looked like they had money.

Thank you. Now I have a valid argument for dressing down the way I do. Missus will not be happy though.

[mikemac]

The Italians talked their captors down to THB1 million, saying they would call their family in Italy to transfer the money. The gang did not realize the tourists were, in fact, calling for help.

Note to self : Learn to speak Italian before kidnapping Italian tourists.

[hawker9000]

The whole police force needs disbanding immediately. Not fit for purpose.

I agree 100%, but replace them with whom; where would one procure several hundred thousand non-bent Thai Buddhists? If you did, many would defer to the dark side under the system. It is just not realistic in this era to have a decent police force, the system is not set up for it. They lead by example, following the law makers and ministers at the top that are just as conniving.

Yeap - jackr hit the nail squarely on the head. I fear this attitude toward foreigners, and this "slipperyness" of Thai moral standards, doesn't suggest a clear solution, does it? AS foreigners, it's difficult to know how deep this corrupt mentality actually goes. Some here claim it's the exception to the rule and that those who merely visit rather than live here don't really have any right to an opinion; others are convinced it's exactly the other way around. Thirty years ago I just don't remember so much of this violence & thievery being directed at foreigners. But back on topic, how DO you clean up a police force, not some local constabulary or provincial organization, but a national police force, if the corruption goes as deep (and at the same time as high) as most believe it does? Even if the line of applicants waiting to take their place stretches three times around Bangkok, how do you know you won't just be enlisting more of the same, or even worse?! A country slides into a very dark place when its police become openly, arrogantly, defiantly corrupt and begin practicing such blatant extortion on innocent citizens, let alone tourists. If the powers that be FAIL to deal with this promptly and VERY harshly, then this will represent a turning point downward, where the slope already wasn't very favorable. It's the kind of story that gets repeated over & over & over again and makes people want to just stay away.

[ttthailand]

Internal Affairs is what I believe they call it in America, police policing police. If go unchecked anything is bound to get out of sync. Not saying it has ever really worked correctly. Also, sting operations from within it's own ranks. But, everyone has their hand in the pot so it would be difficult to police the police here. It would take a bigger set of balls than any Thai has but someday they will need to do it or thus country will be like Mexico, not safe to walk the streets.

[DekDaeng]

I think they are all trying to get their crimes 'in the bag' before the global amnesty -