Police Chief Proposes Conscripted Riot Police
By Khaosod English

 

BANGKOK — Thailand's top police chief has proposed drafting 10,000 civilians to serve as riot police.

Pol.Gen. Watcharapol Prasanratchakit said the measure is needed to address the shortage of police officers available to manage crowds and protect of important public buildings during riots.

Earlier this year, police forces were barely able to contain the thousands of protesters that took to Bangkok's streets and occupied government buildings during a six month protest campaign against the former government.

Under Pol.Gen. Watcharapol's proposal, the drafted police officers would not need extensive training, as they would focus on assisting the full-time police force, he explained.

"We will train them to be a disciplined force that can provide public security," said Pol.Gen. Watcharapol, who was installed as the head of the Thai police by the military junta shortly after it staged a coup on 22 May.

Apart from providing support to riot police, the conscripts will also assist with border patrol, Pol.Gen. Watcharapol said.

"The first batch will be sent to the borders and work with the Border Patrol Police, in order to prepare for the entry to ASEAN Economic Community," the police chief told reporters. "Conscripted police will be like town guards in the past. Other countries also have [conscripted police], such as South Korea, Israel, and Singapore."

Pol.Gen. Watcharapol also proposed forming a task force that consists of 5,000 civilian experts responsible for performing auxiliary police works, such as IT duties, administrative duties, and forensic science.

The National Council For Peace and Order (NCPO) has yet to comment on the proposal.

Thai males are already required to serve in the military, either through drafting or joining the Reserve Force.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1406705412&section=11&typecate=06

[khaosod]2014-07-30[/khaosod]

 Khaosod must not have noticed, but with the overthrowing of the old establishment, the violence suddenly came to an end. All perps caught have been singing the same song, we all know who sponsored the burning, shooting, RPGs and large mobs crying for a "democratic" system where only one elite family can lead them. Without this illogical mobs input, the chances of future rioting are slim.

Have a professional, properly trained police force that is actually taught how to do their job and there will be no need for this farcical idea.
During the last troubles at the beginning of the year the dereliction of duty by the police was incredible, often nowhere to be seen. Remember the debacles at the polling stations yet none of them seem to have been disciplined for not doing what they are paid for.

The drafted police would not need extensive training as they would focus on assisting the full time police force and of course they know exactly what they are doing  

Is the chief of police expecting more riots in the foreseeable future?

Perhaps  he needs 10,000 more cops to do the work that the existing cops aren't doing , enforcing the laws.

Well, if your volunteer police with training can't handle it, what hope volunteers.

More training and equipment for you guys is a much better idea than a conscript police. Where do these idiots get their ideas from.

Yes, having undertrained, armed redshirt and yellows hurt vigilantes acting as riot police and border patrol agents will obviously solve all of Thailand's law enforcement problems.

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Earlier this year, police forces were barely able to contain the thousands of protesters that took to Bangkok's streets and occupied government buildings during a six month protest campaign against the former government.

 

 

If he means stepping aside for protesters to march anywhere they wanted to, to setup road barricades anywhere they wanted to, and to occupy any govt building they wanted to, then I guess the police did just barely contain things.

I would propose concentrating on the existing force, with emphasis on weeding out the corrupt, inefficient and complacent.

Throwing additional numbers into the tainted mix seems counterproductive.

No need to conscript when you have plenty of off-duty servicemen with experience working as guards for the PDRC.Just ask Gen. Prayuth when the need arises. That way the soldiers can get double pay.

Israel does not have conscripted police force. The Border Police has both professional officers on payroll and it is the Israel Defense Force who has conscripts that can be assigned to serve with the Border Police as part of their mandatory three-year service in the IDF.

 Khaosod must not have noticed, but with the overthrowing of the old establishment, the violence suddenly came to an end. All perps caught have been singing the same song, we all know who sponsored the burning, shooting, RPGs and large mobs crying for a "democratic" system where only one elite family can lead them. Without this illogical mobs input, the chances of future rioting are slim.

 

AFAICT, far from being 'overthrown', the 'old establishment' are in complete control.  And it's unsurprising that the violence ceased immediately after they assumed direct control, as it had served its purpose.

 

Mind you, I couldn't care less who runs Thailand, as I'm not a Thai citizen, can't vote, and as a guest in Thailand, am not entitled to an opinion.  But inciting the mob in order to justify extralegal action is a timeworn tactic.
 

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this thread is truly too funny.

I suggest he look at National Guard at Kent State in Ohio back in 1970. "4 dead  in Ohio". Gee, why would you need well trained professionals when dealing with a rioting mob? Do any of these people stop and think, or just stop (don't want to stress them) before they come up with these hare brained schemes?

Lots of underemployed motocy and taxi drivers available.

No need to conscript when you have plenty of off-duty servicemen with experience working as guards for the PDRC.Just ask Gen. Prayuth when the need arises. That way the soldiers can get double pay.

as opposed to off duty cops working and actively supporting (providing arms) to the UDD I suppose.

Better if the had 1,000 policemen who could perform their duties properly than conscript 10,000 to do their jobs for them.

Hasn't anybody told this guy that the army are in charge and the police aren't required to control any riots, because there aren't any. And according to the army, they intend to resolve the necessary issues such that riots do not occur in the future.

However, ignoring all that, assuming that the police force is currently as highly trained and equipped as they possibly can be (and if not, why not), then if they STILL can't control a riot, clearly it would be better to call on a trained army unit for help, than call on untrained conscripts.

Honestly, just how many untrained rabble are required in this country? There are far too many already.

The drafted police would not need extensive training as they would focus on assisting the full time police force and of course they know exactly what they are doing  

    They could always just look for falang volunteers

I lived in South Korea for 16 years and saw some very violent demonstrations in that time. 

 

If you saw it in person you would be very surprised at the discipline and professionalism of their riot police conscripts.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbFSVh1mmiw

For such a moronic proposal, Gen Watcharapol should be sent to an inactive post, and have tens of sessions with psychologists and psychiatrists. How a guy with such ideas could ever become a general shows a lot about the inner value of the RTP corps. Ask a local copper on some remote Scottish island, and he will tell you 100% sure that you need your best professionals, and only them, in 'situations', when it can get thight and stress is piling up. But this AH, sorry 'Sir', comes up with the exact opposite, young, barely trained, conscripts for the difficult, risky jobs, WTF! When really needed, I doubt it, have conscripts to do what the BiBs do best: sit on their lazy a..es, collect/extort bribes and protection money, pocket fines from motocycle, cars, trucks drivers, ...and smokers. While at it, step into the 21st century and end that huge circus with motorcades and so-called VIPs, this only could free at leat 5,000 coppers/day in Thailand, allowing them to, maybe, do, some, real, police work, but let us not expect too much...

I lived in South Korea for 16 years and saw some very violent demonstrations in that time. 

 

If you saw it in person you would be very surprised at the discipline and professionalism of their riot police conscripts.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbFSVh1mmiw

 

Looks like really good training but not sure how it would work in a real situation. Im sure that these Drills cant hurt practicing.

For such a moronic proposal..

 

Agree, what a twat thing to propose. obviously hasn't got a clue. Embarrassing 

"We will train them to be a disciplined force that can provide public security," said Pol.Gen. Watcharapol"

That'll make a nice change.

 

The drafted police would not need extensive training as they would focus on assisting the full time police force and of course they know exactly what they are doing  

    They could always just look for falang volunteers

 

There are such volunteers already

The drafted police would not need extensive training as they would focus on assisting the full time police force and of course they know exactly what they are doing  

Not need extensive training. WHAT? Level 1 riot trained TSG in London have training at a specially constructed mini town and do a three day residential course once a month. Level 2 officers do the same every 3 months. Real petrol bombs are used (I know hence I have no eyebrows through my own fault). Any half organised rioting group would run rings round them. From what I saw on TV the current ones even struggled and that he has come up with this scheme.

Giving 10,000 egotistical people the legal right to probably bear weapons, for public order control will be a certain recipe for disaster should roiting return to the streets of Bangkok.

Bangkok has one of the highest number of Police officers per capita in the world, so where are they all, and what are they doing for the salary being paid to them ?.

Now we have Planet Thailand. Police conscripts? For riot control? A disciplined force, with little training? Time for Watchaparol's inactive posting.

 Khaosod must not have noticed, but with the overthrowing of the old establishment, the violence suddenly came to an end. All perps caught have been singing the same song, we all know who sponsored the burning, shooting, RPGs and large mobs crying for a "democratic" system where only one elite family can lead them. Without this illogical mobs input, the chances of future rioting are slim.

 

It is called planning ahead....When dear leader bought the next election the new riot police will be ready.

 Khaosod must not have noticed, but with the overthrowing of the old establishment, the violence suddenly came to an end. All perps caught have been singing the same song, we all know who sponsored the burning, shooting, RPGs and large mobs crying for a "democratic" system where only one elite family can lead them. Without this illogical mobs input, the chances of future rioting are slim.

 
It is called planning ahead....When dear leader bought the next election the new riot police will be ready.

Ah, so you are anticipating that conscripts will only be those who can prove they voted against dear leader.

You seem to be behind the times, Thailand is striving for national unity and the current military government is committed to dismantling the ability for dear Leander and/or his family to ever return to Thai politics.

Do try and keep up.