Bribing Thai traffic cops can get you in trouble

[webfact]

Bribing traffic cops can get you in trouble
SUPACHAI PECHTHEVI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- BAD NEWS for traffic-law violators who try to get away by bribing: The police have launched a campaign to reward Bt10,000 to any traffic policeman who catches motorists red-handed for bribery.

Two traffic officers yesterday became the first to receive the reward after they arrested a motorist for attempting to pay a bribe.

Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy chief Pol Maj-General Adul Narongsak announced that Pol Sub-Lieutenant Seri Triwong and Pol Senior Sgt-Major Narin Fukbamrung from Wat Phraya Krai Police Station were given the awards for rejecting a Bt100 bribe offered by a motorcyclist.

The campaign, which started on Monday, aims to promote and encourage honesty and dignity among traffic officers, who have earned a bad reputation for accepting bribes. Many traffic policemen have been caught on hidden cameras pocketing bribes from traffic-law violators.

Adul yesterday asked people to obey traffic laws strictly. He also warned them not to bribe officers, as the police will now arrest anyone who attempts to use bribery to get out of trouble.

Narin said that while he was patrolling near Krungthep Bridge, he saw the motorcyclist riding against the flow of traffic. He then pulled the rider over, who pleaded to be let go and offered a Bt100 note.

Seri, who was working with Narin at the time, took a photo on his mobile phone and the motorcyclist was arrested on the spot for attempting to bribe a policeman.

They also asked fellow officers not to accept bribes in order to help protect the image of the police.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Bribing-traffic-cops-can-get-you-in-trouble-30245053.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-09

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Policeman Rewarded 10,000 Baht For Declining Bribe
By Khaosod English


Pol.Sgt. Narin Fakbumrung (L) receiving a 10,000 baht reward for refusing to accept a 100 baht bribe from a motorcyclist, 8 October 2014.

BANGKOK — In a new effort to combat corruption among Thailand’s law enforcement agencies, the Metropolitan Police department has started giving out monetary rewards to officers who refuse to accept bribes.

Yesterday, a traffic police officer received a 10,000 baht reward for declining a 100 baht bribe from a motorcyclist.

According to police, the motorcyclist, identified as Banterng Thongpaan, was about to be fined for making an illegal left turn when he offered Pol.Sgt. Narin Fakbumrung 100 baht to let him off without any charges.

"Pol.Sgt. Narin immediately photographed the bribery attempt with his mobile phone and escorted the suspect to the police station for legal procedure," said Pol.Maj.Gen. Adul Narongsak, deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police.

He said Banterng has been charged with bribing state officials.

Traffic police officer Pol.Sgt. Narin said he regularly turns down bribes from motorists.

"I always tell them, please don't give me bribes because I have to arrest you," Pol.Sgt. Narin said. "In this latest case, too, I told him please don't do it."

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1412763998&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2014-10-09

[Fiddlesticks]

Wish they would offer the same reward to citizens who report officers extorting bribes. Definitely could improve the median household income level in Thailand.

[soundman]

Unfortunately, I can only see this as possibly being used to obtain larger bribes.

[ukrules]

Was it a Thai or a foreigner on the bike ?

Somehow I just can't imagine a Thai.....

[thesetat2013]

I woukd think the motorist would have to have the money in hand trying to give it to the policeman in the photo for it to be proof.

This is going to open a very big can of worms. Offering corrupt cops money for not taking a bribe.

They can easily set you up asking yoi to pay the bribe and then claim you offered it. A picture will not be able to show the difference.

What a joke to offer this when they should be arresting the officer for taking the bribe.

But then their would not be any more police on the street if they did that..

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[joedot]

These guys are unbelievable. So they target the civilians by making them pay a larger fine. Why not target the corrupt cops? This country is so back asswards it is amazing. Now the policeman doesn't need to get a 200bt bribe when he can get 10000bt. Speechless

[englishoak]

Right so whats to stop them playing the entrapment game then charging even more to get off ?

[Bluespunk]

"The campaign, which started on Monday, aims to promote and encourage honesty and dignity among traffic officers, who have earned a bad reputation for accepting bribes."

I thought the reputation was for demanding, rather than accepting.

Still if a demand is pocketed I guess that does, on some levels, count as accepting.

Edited October 8, 2014 by Bluespunk

[canuckamuck]

Great, first they establish the procedure, which is, you ask how much do you want? And now they are encouraged to entrap you for it.

So how will we go about paying when they stop you at a checkpoint? I need a new script.

Edited October 8, 2014 by canuckamuck

[Mosha]

The one on the right looks to be struggling not to laugh out loud.

[I Like Thai]

I think it's a very good idea. No one will risk paying a bribe anymore and will have to be fined in the correct manner. This will cut down or maybe even eradicate the practice of collecting bribes by many police officers.

[Mosha]

Maybe the guy was just unlucky enough to find the only honest cops in Bangkok. Or was it all a set up?

[NongKhaiKid]

Another situation involving the BIB that's too ridiculous for words.

It will be handy to have 2 police witnesses and be sure to stop only individual road users.

The BIB are never quick to discipline any of their own so I can't wait for the first time there's audio / visual proof of someone being fitted up for a non-existent offer of a bribe.

[mrtoad]

Dear oh dear, I though it was The 1st of April, and then I realized that it was another BIB article, where everyday is the 1st of April with those morons.

[mrtoad]

Maybe the guy was just unlucky enough to find the only honest cops in Bangkok. Or was it all a set up?

Mosha, would I be wrong in saying that it might never have even happened bu The BIB thought it would make them look good. Afterall, their reputation at present is taking one hell of a hammering from the international press.

I expect to see more of these idiotic stories in the coming days

"Officer BJ rescues a cat in Chain Mai"

"Constable Somchai gave directions to a lost foreigner"

"Pol Capt Turdsak donated free lunch to Burmese workers"

"

[draftvader]

Great, first they establish the procedure, which is, you ask how much do you want? And now they are encouraged to entrap you for it.

So how will we go about paying when they stop you at a checkpoint? I need a new script.

"I don't have any cash, write me a ticket". It is annoying but it will circumvent this issue. They'll grow bored of this campaign soon!

[NongKhaiKid]

In all the years i have been involved with LoS the BIBs reputation, as with so many other government departments, has been in the toilet.

I doubt even a properly thought out, well organised PR campaign would work as things are too far gone but the hierarchy can come up with stupid schemes like this. I'm sure many of the BIB will be working out how best to use this to their own advantage.

What happens if some clown sitting at the top table decides it would be a great idea to give cash rewards for other types of arrests ?

[bdenner]

What is the normal (not legislated) penalty for attempting to bribe officials if found guilty in the court system?

Edit: The BiB must be huddled together all over the country trying to work out ways to get their greedy hands on 10,000 Baht easily. They won't bypass the opportunity to entrap the unwary! AND it will be your word against theirs.

Edited October 8, 2014 by bdenner

[harrry]

I wonder how many friends among his workmates this upstanding policeman has to drink with.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Great, first they establish the procedure, which is, you ask how much do you want? And now they are encouraged to entrap you for it.

So how will we go about paying when they stop you at a checkpoint? I need a new script.

I think the smartest is to keep quite and let the police do all the talking and see if he wants a fine with an official receipt or a bribe and try to record it with either your mobile phone or if you got a car cam you can turn to the policeman's direction.

[Commerce]

Stupid me was thinking this 10,000 was on top of the annual salary - not for every single incident. I will never pay a cop ever again from now on, and demand the correct paperwork and pay the fine thru the post.

[ezzra]

So now, we have to bribe some one just to drop the bribing charge? where dose

it end?

[klauskunkel]

And now for a bit of transparency, please:

how big is the fund and where is the money coming from?

...and why doesn't The Nation reporter ask these questions?

[NongKhaiKid]

Pol Sgt Narn was quoted as saying he regularly turns down bribes from motorists and tells them not to give him a bribe or he will have to arrest them !

Isn't offering / attempting to bribe an offence and those who offered him previously should have been arrested OR is it only an offence now that a cash reward is on offer ?

[canuckamuck]

Offering rewards for making arrests. how could this possibly go wrong?

The logic behind this is the people are corrupt and need to be taught to stop bribing the police.

[bigjules007]

So now its going to be like. .......... ok so you were speeding, would you like to pay me some coffee money to be on your way sir? ? Yes of course officer , how much? Officer,your nicked.

You just can't make this stuff up, but I suppose its a step in the right direction in regards to stamping out corruption. I think.

[Chang_paarp]

I can see the sales of Go-Pro cameras or similar devices soaring.

[clockman]

Thainess, at its best!

[needforspeed]

Unfortunately, I can only see this as possibly being used to obtain larger bribes.

correct, they must have a huge budgett for this rule.