Royal Thai Police to undergo major reform

[Tywais]

Off topic post (spelling police) has been removed.

[ZigZagMan]

From what I've been told, the Army are bigger crooks than the cops.

[Prbkk]

Hong Kong police force has gone from one of the most corrupt in the world, to one of the cleanest. Singapore is also pretty faultless. It can be done with the right strategy.

[Thanet]

The Royal Thai Police may be dissolved and turned into a ministry ...

Wonder if they'll call it The Ministry of Love

He who controls the present, controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future.

Edited May 27, 2014 by Thanet

[AleG]

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.

Says the ###### that condones the murder of children for political reasons.

[Piichai]

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.

It's going to be a rather tough sell for you; after all, many of these groups helped create the exceptionally fertile environment for change the Thais now enjoy.

[smutcakes]

Police who are currently in the process of paying their way through the ranks, are not going to be happy about reform. They are not paying their way through to give up on the rewards of finally reaching near the top!

Not a chance in hell they can reform the police properly, especially in the short term.

In needs a shift in mentality first.

Its not just the police either, the army as well.

[ozvenison]

as my mum would say... wish in one hand, piss in the other, see which one comes full first

[anon467367354]

if it gets rid of the corruption and makes people accountable and having to take

responsibility for their actions, then I'm all for it.

This must be a very new concept for most people here.

[WhizBang]

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.

By that I assume you mean manipulate to see things your way, for a fee, of course.

[Baerboxer]

Hong Kong police force has gone from one of the most corrupt in the world, to one of the cleanest. Singapore is also pretty faultless. It can be done with the right strategy.

Like to support your assertions on the two forces you mention?

Police forces world wide have had problems with corruption, laziness and not bothering to do their duties. There is no quick fix or universal panacea. The police service usually reflects social norms of the communities they serve. The endemic corruption in Thailand and it's acceptance as long as it "benefits me" mindset has to change as well. Otherwise any positive changes to the police will be eroded.

Good luck to those leading the changes - they are badly needed.

[Asiantravel]

Oh dear I would guess from this that the senior police officer who spent his own money on refurbishing pattaya police station is unlikely to see the expected investment return

[Spoonman]

The police is doing a good job. Streets are safe, there is no major gang problem..

The main problem as I see it is the government inability to order the police to clear some major protest site, but that is more a political problem than a police problem. That a deranged monk be able to hire a private army, block a major road and create mayhem for 6 month is not acceptable.

Sorry but the police can't be held responsible for that, we are not idiots !

Tell that to the parents of the young lad that had a few bullets pumped into his head at dolphin circle in Pattaya a few days ago.

[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.

Ahhh you're been a bit sarcastic

Actually not at all.

Clearly if you meet the police in a residential area or in a touristic area, they will have a different attitude. Now if it is a place well known for prostitution and drug business, what do you expect ? If you have friends in the force, you know their job is not easy.

[wilcopops]

no-one would deny that the police need reforming, but isn't this is just the army clearing away opposition?

[ThaiAtoZ]

There are plenty of gang problems in Thailand. Just not as large scale and organized as in the US for example. The reason is that the biggest organized crime syndicate in this country (the BIB syndicate) won't allow the competition.

Funny - I was not think about the BIB syndicate when reading this - I was more on the idea it was the POLICE who do not like competition!

[cms22]

The removal of all non-aligned personnel is required. As is the norm with a typical dictatorship. Meanwhile, the reform of Thailand's top-heavy armed forces (which has pound-for-pound more generals than any other military) continues to swagger along without opposition, despite numerous efforts to downsize and reform the establishment over the past decade.

[LuckyLew]

All the top cops should be canned and new people with no pre existing allegiances should be put in charge

The slate needs to be wiped clean and given a fresh beginning

Most Thais now have a pretty low opinion of the police and this will not change until real change is implemented

[anon467367354]

no-one would deny that the police need reforming, but isn't this is just the army clearing away opposition?

let's hope so. Isn't that the point, get rid of the cancer?

[Gulfsailor]

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

Actually not at all.

Clearly if you meet the police in a residential area or in a touristic area, they will have a different attitude. Now if it is a place well known for prostitution and drug business, what do you expect ? If you have friends in the force, you know their job is not easy.

Half my in law family here are BIB or GIB. Lazy buggers, the lot of 'm. At least they are honest, which means no chance of any promotion. The stories I hear though will blow your mind.

[pete66]

The cops are corrupt. The military are corrupt. The military are just using this opportunity to take out the middle man so all the drug money etc can go to the junta instead of those pesky policeman. I agree the police force needs reform. I don't know a Thai person that has any respect for the police. But reform shouldn't be actioned by an equally corrupt military junta. It doesn't solve anything. Just concentrates the "hub of corruption"

Thailand is looking more and more like Burma every day.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I guess we'll have to wait and see the details of the final proposal... but...

I'm not seeing how transforming the RTP into a Ministry and presumably putting a politically appointed minister in charge is going to help foster professionalism or ensure impartiality in local law enforcement.

[ETatBKK]

technically, the announcement just covered the 'organisation re-structure'.

is there any reform agenda on the anticipated QUALITY of the Royal Thai Police ?

[KarenBravo]

1. Pay police a decent wage.

2. Supply all their equipment and uniform, instead of making them buy their own.

3. Stop the practice of buying promotions and promote on merit only.

4. Stop using transfers as punishment. Start using dismissals and court action.

5. Give all policeman clearly displayed badges with name AND number.

6. Set up a robust Internal Affairs department and encourage the public to report wrong-doing to an action line.

7. Sent fast-track personnel for specialized training in Western countries.

Edited May 27, 2014 by KarenBravo

[Credo]

The corruption we see in the RT Police is simply a symptom of a larger problem in the social fabric of the nation. It is accepted that being corrupt is OK. It starts in the school system when children are young. There are virtually no institutions that are not touched through corruption and bribery.

Reforming the police will always be worth a try, but a systemic problem requires something more drastic than reform.

[Piichai]

no-one would deny that the police need reforming, but isn't this is just the army clearing away opposition?

Reread the OP. Seems the police have been thinking about this for a while.

[berg1666]

If they actually paid the police a decent wage, supplied them with vehicles (and gas money, many cops pay for their own gas to get to assignments!), and created an atmosphere of service to the country, then, and only then, would they ever expect to see some reform.

The majority of cops want to give service to their fellow Thais, but under the current structure it is impossible. You cannot expect current Thai police to take a stand and move beyond the corruption when on their salary they can't even afford to pay their kids school fees.

Edited May 27, 2014 by berg1666

[marinediscoking]

Who are richer the "higher ups" in the armed forces or the police?

From what I can can tell both have more money than 99% of their counter parts serving in first world countries. If it were up to me I would sack anyone that had more than 1 million bath in the bank as it is impossible to become that wealthy without corruption.

[spermwhale]

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The police is doing a good job. Streets are safe, there is no major gang problem..

The main problem as I see it is the government inability to order the police to clear some major protest site, but that is more a political problem than a police problem. That a deranged monk be able to hire a private army, block a major road and create mayhem for 6 month is not acceptable.

Sorry but the police can't be held responsible for that, we are not idiots !

Obviously you don't drive here or walk along Sukhumvit.

The traffic police here are useless. They never patrol the streets looking for people who are breaking traffic laws. The only thing they do is set up checkpoints which never gets anybody for serious moving violations. Instead it's not driving with seatbelts on, out of date registration stickers, talking on the phone. Small stuff. But speeding? Running red lights? Driving aggressively? Feel free!

I don't even need to say much about the Nana area with the Nigerians dealing drugs in the open and people setting up illegal bars on the sidewalks and the rampant sale of counterfeit goods. Not to mention the streetwalkers.

[pete66]

Who are richer the "higher ups" in the armed forces or the police?

From what I can can tell both have more money than 99% of their counter parts serving in first world countries. If it were up to me I would sack anyone that had more than 1 million bath in the bank as it is impossible to become that wealthy without corruption.

They don't stick it in their own account. They put it in the accounts of one or more "mia nooys" - and those ladies know exactly what to expect if the cash disappears.