Royal Thai Police to undergo major reform

[webfact]

Royal Thai Police to undergo major reform



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police may be dissolved and turned into a ministry with 17 departments under its supervision, said the acting commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Pol Gen Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit.

The major reform is expected to be worked out and forwarded to the National Council for Peace and Order in four months, he said.

Under his proposed reform, the commissioner will turn into the permanent secretary and the Royal Thai Police will be called the Ministry of Internal Safety with a minister in charge.

He said the new structure of the Royal Thai Police has been worked out for a certain period since the former commissioner Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkeo was in charge.

But after the power change, it would be timely to propose the new structure.

He said the Thai societies have high expectations of seeing change in the police organisation and the decentralisation of police power.

When the time has now come and everybody wants to see reform, it would be the right time for change, he said.

He said that this would be the good time to regain the police image.

Asked how he could make the police free of political intervention under the reform, the acting police commissioner said that as the police and politicians have a common goal of wanting to see social safety, peace and sufficient earnings of the people, if these could be achieved, it would be a shield to keep off political intervention.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/royal-thai-police-undergo-major-reform/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-27

[samran]

"Reform". Is that what they are calling it?

[chotthee]

"Reform". Is that what they are calling it?

More police chief have to be moved, not just Thawil.

[JetsetBkk]

the Royal Thai Police will be called the Ministry of Internal Safety

Maybe "Ministry of Internal Security" would be better, or would that sound just a tad too much like a dictatorship?

[draftvader]

I did wonder why the police were working so hard today. In 20km of Bangkok I passed at least 5 policemen trying to constructively motivate (that's what I call it) traffic and 2 roadblocks where they were ensuring people had the right paper-work in their wallets.

I wish our new leaders much luck with this task. I fear they might want to also try to herd cats and roll jelly uphill.

Edited May 27, 2014 by draftvader

[JetsetBkk]

forwarded to the National Council for Peace and Order in four months

Four months?

Can we have our telly back before then, pretty please?

[Stradavarius37]

Any reform is better than than no reform, and no reform is what we have had for a long time. Cue the cynics......

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[Morch]

Asked how he could make the police free of political intervention under the reform, the acting police commissioner said that as the police and politicians have a common goal of wanting to see social safety, peace and sufficient earnings of the people, if these could be achieved, it would be a shield to keep off political intervention.

It is good to see that some traditions are maintained. For example, making such remarks.

Edited May 27, 2014 by Morch

[Just1Voice]

Reform Police? Gee, here's a idea for you. Fire ALL of them, let troops take over for a while. Bring in REAL police from, oh, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, places like that, have them train all new recruits on what it really means to be a cop and how to do the job they are supposed to. Then give them a raise so they can make a decent living. Also institute a law that ANY RTP caught asking for, or taking a bribe, is fired immediately and sentenced to 5 years in prison.

[Morch]

Reform Police? Gee, here's a idea for you. Fire ALL of them, let troops take over for a while. Bring in REAL police from, oh, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, places like that, have them train all new recruits on what it really means to be a cop and how to do the job they are supposed to. Then give them a raise so they can make a decent living. Also institute a law that ANY RTP caught asking for, or taking a bribe, is fired immediately and sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Next thing you'll be expecting foreign English teachers.

[Chang_paarp]

IF and that is a mighty big if, the Generals can shape the RTP into a modern police force between now and the next election (should give them some time ) with merit based promotion and maintained professional standards, they will have done the Thai populace a huge service.

Come on, someone tell me I'm dreaming.

[smutcakes]

Anyone can say 'reform' the proof will be in the pudding.

I dont really see how making it a ministry would make much difference.

Lets wait and see, hopefully its not just talk.

[keemapoot]

Will those who wish to remain in leadership have to disavow their patron saint who's currently on holiday in the middle east?

[Morch]

Will those who wish to remain in leadership have to disavow their patron saint who's currently on holiday in the middle east?

Doesn't matter much if they take a new patron saint instead.

Problem remains the same.

[Valentine]

Just having some kind of reshuffle to become a ministry is not really major reform. Changing the structure is one thing but changing the mindset of the police actually do the job they are paid for is another thing altogether. However, it is positive they are talking about reform although the cynic in me suggests this proposal has come out before something else is forced upon them. We should wait & see the exact nature of the proposal.

[Pib]

Renaming and reorganizing an organization won't necessarily change anything....just gives the old bosses new duty titles and some different people to boss around. But maybe there will be some true reform in this "maybe" proposal.

[transam]

Just having some kind of reshuffle to become a ministry is not really major reform. Changing the structure is one thing but changing the mindset of the police actually do the job they are paid for is another thing altogether. However, it is positive they are talking about reform although the cynic in me suggests this proposal has come out before something else is forced upon them. We should wait & see the exact nature of the proposal.

Perhaps the proposal is for the BiB to actually do something for their salary. Some do, but many don't unless an "incentive"

[lawrence1366]

How does making the police department reporting to a ministry keep them away from the politicians? Isn't the Minister of Justice a politician? Unless it is created as an independent agency but then, even they're within reach of a politician, like the DSI? Can somebody please enlighten me?

[JohnnyJazz]

I've been around, worked on every continent, Thai police is one of the best I had to deal with. As far as I'm concerned they are doing a good job.

[kotsak]

IMHO it's FUBAR :>

[rebelplatoon]

If they can do it and curb corruption (at least a bit) I am all for it.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

I read the foreigner posts and hang my head in shame.

The only word I can think of is "collaborators".

[IAMSOBAD]

Take ALL RTP and make them Taxi drivers that must use the meter.

Take all TAXI drivers and make them RTP that must obey the law and no corruption.

Keeps them all busy and no time to riot.

Have toll free complaint number. Anyone caught cheating gets a public beating to lose face.

Treat them like the punks they are.

[IAMSOBAD]

Lets make Jet ski operators into garbage men while we are doing all of this FANTASY POLICE RESHUFFLE.

Nothing will work if people /police/ taxis/jet ski scum are not punished beyond belief.

[icommunity]

Not only the Royal Thai Army but also the entire armed forces, security agencies, independence agencies, judicial system, privy council, and the senate so that they are freed from political intervention. They are supposed be neutral.

[bkkstooge]

I've been around, worked on every continent, Thai police is one of the best I had to deal with. As far as I'm concerned they are doing a good job.

Ahhh you're been a bit sarcastic

[scorecard]

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IF and that is a mighty big if, the Generals can shape the RTP into a modern police force between now and the next election (should give them some time alt=whistling.gif> ) with merit based promotion and maintained professional standards, they will have done the Thai populace a huge service.

Come on, someone tell me I'm dreaming.

Well I hope it's not a dream.

Something to consider

- Make it a punishable offense, serious jail time etc., for politicians / anybody who ties to interfere with / influence police investigations., etc.

- Make it a punishable offense, dismissal and jail time, for any policeman, any rank who does not report, perhaps to the ombudsman, that someone from outside has tried to interfere / influence with police work.

- As part of the reforms set up a committee or whatever which has zero ties to the police, transparent, members appointed through a process which politicians cannot influence, to investigate all complaints against the police.

[JetsetBkk]

Just having some kind of reshuffle to become a ministry is not really major reform. Changing the structure is one thing but changing the mindset of the police actually do the job they are paid for is another thing altogether. However, it is positive they are talking about reform although the cynic in me suggests this proposal has come out before something else is forced upon them. We should wait & see the exact nature of the proposal.

But aren't the police partly funded by the fines they collect?

If so, stopping that practice, issuing receipts for fines and tracking where the money goes might help.

[casualbiker]

If they want a professional police force they (government) need to treat them like one.. provide uniforms, vehicles and hand guns (currently they buy their own, except special cases highway patrol cars etc) also a more reasonable wage ONLY then could you plausible stop corruption in the force.

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[keemapoot]

If they want a professional police force they (government) need to treat them like one.. provide uniforms, vehicles and hand guns (currently they buy their own, except special cases highway patrol cars etc) also a more reasonable wage ONLY then could you plausible stop corruption in the force.

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

You haven't mentioned the huge "membership fee" either for new recruits.