Problem with bribery not confined to traffic cops: Thai editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Problem with bribery not confined to traffic cops
The Nation

The Royal Thai Police must broaden their focus to the whole force

BANGKOK: -- The Metropolitan Police Bureau has come under fire for its decision to extend a Bt10,000 reward to traffic policemen who arrest anyone proffering bribes in a bid to escape punishment. Two Bangkok policemen were the first to receive the reward this week when a motorist caught on camera breaking road laws offered them money to drop the charges.

The reward has since been suspended following widespread public uproar and concern over possible rights violations, since police officers were reportedly using hidden "button cameras" to get proof of bribery.

Senior officers have given conflicting messages about the issue. Some have suggested that the controversial campaign should be terminated, while others say the reward should continue and even be extended to any motorist who reports getting squeezed for a bribe by a cop.

Deputy Metropolitan Police commissioner Pol Maj-General Adul Narongsak, who initiated the campaign, said he was waiting for a decision from supervisors on whether the project should resume. National police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmoung voiced support for extending the reward to motorists as well.

Critics of the plan have argued that police should not be offered rewards just for doing their job. Outspoken retired Police Maj-General Wisut Wanitchabutr said the campaign would only fuel people's dislike of the police and would widen the gap between the force and the public. He too said officers should not be rewarded for performing their normal duties.

It is widely acknowledged that graft is especially serious in the police force. Most Thais have encountered corrupt cops, either directly or via accounts from family and friends. Traffic police are often accused of demanding bribes and there have many been many cases in which they've been caught on camera demanding or accepting bribes from motorists.

The problem needs to be tackled before it gets even worse.

The idea of rewarding both policemen for arresting those who offer bribes and motorists who have proof of bribe-taking policemen could help tackle the problem, but only if it is carried out with rigour and sincerity. Another obstacle is the size of the budget needed to fund the rewards.

But fear of getting caught red-handed on camera demanding or offering bribes would likely be a deterrent to both sides. More traffic police would turn down bribes and more motorists would refuse to pay them. The end result should be a reduced problem and, perhaps, more law-abiding motorists, leading to safer roads.

However, the reality is that the problem of bribery extends beyond traffic police into many other sectors of law enforcement. Illegal gambling dens and nightspots pay police regular "tea money" to stay open beyond permitted hours.

If Royal Thai Police commissioners are sincere about reducing corruption in law enforcement, they need to broaden their focus to the millions of baht in bribes that are being paid and pocketed every day across the whole force.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Problem-with-bribery-not-confined-to-traffic-cops-30245574.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-16

[NongKhaiKid]

Well, well who would have thought it, it's not just traffic cops that are corrupt !

This has shaken me to the core but i am sure the appropriate serious action will be take to straighten the farce, sorry force, out

[englishoak]

Well knock me down with a feather.............

[PatOngo]

The problem is not a little bit of money going this way or that.....the problem is the entire moral code of a population.

[hanuman2543]

Equip the whole population with "button cameras" so that both sides can equally join the " war against corruption".

[timewilltell]

It would also help if officials cars found taking bribes were actually prosecuted and stripped tof their pensions and jobs for nested of just getting away with time after time. There is plainly still no intention of tackling corruption despite the new broom a a few leaves being swept up because nothing has been done to cure the tree and stop the leaves falling so much.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[NongKhaiKid]

Equip the whole population with "button cameras" so that both sides can equally join the " war against corruption".

That would be a massive contract and would involve a lot of brown envelopes ! Square One ?

[thesetat2013]

It is widely acknowledged that graft is especially serious in the police force. Most Thais have encountered corrupt cops, either directly or via accounts from family and friends. Traffic police are often accused of demanding bribes and there have many been many cases in which they've been caught on camera demanding or accepting bribes from motorists.

They know already the police extort money and have their proof YET they have NEVER taken any action against these policemen.

Guess what! NO ACTION=SILENT APPROVAL

Corrupt police will never stop what they do because it is sanctioned and no punishments are meted out when caught. There are many videos in Youtube showing cops here taking money.

In most cases the citizen does not offer the bribe. The policeman demands it with threats of more sever punishments. This is their tactic and it will not change because people will pay even if only out of the fear instilled by the police.

The many times I have been stopped at roadside has always ended with the police demanding money from me with threats of harsher punishment. I NEVER offered him money. It is detestable yet there was nothing I could do except pay him so I could move on.

This corruption will never end as it exists at ALL levels within the police force.

[ATF]

Bloody Hell! Who comes out with these statements? Have they employed The Mentalist?

[FireMedic]

Things will ONLY turn around when they offer rewards for catching the cops in the act. When they do, they are fired immediately and their supervisor is disciplined...not transferred to an inactive post.

[noitom]

it's a shame that the newspaper can articulate the massive scope of police corruption that has been embedded in Thai culture and society for decades but no one has ever done anything about what every one knows.

[drand11]

I have had 5 encounters w cops in Thailand. 4x..they got paid! I suppose I propagate the problem but as a tourist, they hold me for 1 hour as they stop other tourists..and would walk me to police atation to pay a fine. What tourist waits an hour in the heat to go pay a fine?? 200b..goodbye...

[Tatsujin]

For <deleted>'s sake . . . they already know many people within the RTP are corrupt in one way or another (most from what I've seen), and know who they are . . . so simply arrest them and make sure they face some serious penalties for once . . . for, you know, BREAKING THE <deleted> LAWS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO UPHOLD . . .

[razer]

Traffic cops never asked me for a bribe. Never!

I never offered a traffic cop a bribe. Never!

They stopped me .... told me the offense ... showed me the price list printed in English ... they wouldn't take the "fine" on top of the clipboard but told me to put it under the clipboard.

This is normal procedure and everybody knows it. So why would a person following normal procedure established by the police be accused of offering a bribe?

[useronthenet]

With respect to Thailand, name me a country that isn't corrupt, and I'll name a person that lives on the moon. The only difference with this country is that the system is more open, and in view, whereas in other countries it is usually behind closed doors.

http://www.transparency.org/gcb2013/

Results here is a classic example about perception of corruption.

[catweazle]

Come on, Thai cops would never do that!

[retell]

"Illegal gambling dens and nightspots pay police regular "tea money" to stay open beyond permitted hours."

Where are those gambling dens with permitted opening hours ????

[Loles]

This doesn't help at all.

Officers may get a few 10 000 B rewards in first months, but later when every-one recognize this no-one will try to bribe them.

What does mean it?

They won't get 10 000 B reward, but won't get also to collect tea money.

have to give them normal salary, and take out who will be corrupted despite to normal money carrier.

[culicine]

Traffic cops never asked me for a bribe. Never!

I never offered a traffic cop a bribe. Never!

They stopped me .... told me the offense ... showed me the price list printed in English ... they wouldn't take the "fine" on top of the clipboard but told me to put it under the clipboard.

This is normal procedure and everybody knows it. So why would a person following normal procedure established by the police be accused of offering a bribe?

I have no problem with 'on the spot' fines. As long as they give you a receipt. I'd not, I'd meet them down the station.

[EnglishJohn]

What a joke : the officer will have done this to get 10,000 baht. When the scheme ends, he will take the bribe.

The reward should be for the public catching policemen taking bribes who are then sacked. If every officer caught on camera taking or demanding a bribe got fired, the problem would be cured pretty quick.

Obviously there is no intention to do that. This just the normal bizarre Thai logic from someone attempting to suck up to the PM.

Pay them a decent salary and operate a zero-tolerance policy on corruption. Nothing else will work.

[outsider]

Problem with bribery not confined to traffic cops? Wow!!! How did you figure THAT out???

[Adeeos]

Traffic cops never asked me for a bribe. Never!

I never offered a traffic cop a bribe. Never!

They stopped me .... told me the offense ... showed me the price list printed in English ... they wouldn't take the "fine" on top of the clipboard but told me to put it under the clipboard.

This is normal procedure and everybody knows it. So why would a person following normal procedure established by the police be accused of offering a bribe?

LOLOL,,,, Seriously?... Please read what you've posted,,, lololololol In paying the, "fine" on the spot, were you given an official reciept?,,, Of COURSE the nice, honest TP turned over ALL the $$ collected that day to the court system,,,, HAHAHAHAH,,,,

Edited October 16, 2014 by Adeeos

[hawker9000]

This doesn't help at all.

Officers may get a few 10 000 B rewards in first months, but later when every-one recognize this no-one will try to bribe them.

What does mean it?

They won't get 10 000 B reward, but won't get also to collect tea money.

have to give them normal salary, and take out who will be corrupted despite to normal money carrier.

Nor does it hurt. It's just an expose on what everybody already well knows. If anything, the article is too narrowly focused - perhaps absurdly so - on just the RTP...

[Robespiere]

Thailand is Thailand.

Corruption is endemic, always will be.

Doesn't matter who is in power, Reds, Yellows or Greens; corruption will remain the one constant.

[hawker9000]

Thailand is Thailand.

Corruption is endemic, always will be.

Doesn't matter who is in power, Reds, Yellows or Greens; corruption will remain the one constant.

Was it ever thus, or is this an acquired taste?

[Robespiere]

Thailand is Thailand.

Corruption is endemic, always will be.

Doesn't matter who is in power, Reds, Yellows or Greens; corruption will remain the one constant.

Was it ever thus, or is this an acquired taste?

Ever thus, my friend, ever thus.

[Laughing Gravy]

With respect to Thailand, name me a country that isn't corrupt, and I'll name a person that lives on the moon. The only difference with this country is that the system is more open, and in view, whereas in other countries it is usually behind closed doors.

http://www.transparency.org/gcb2013/

Results here is a classic example about perception of corruption.

I would have to disagree with you. The corruption is not open here but endemic. People and in particular institutions here don't even know what they call business practices, are actually corruption practices. Corruption here is blatant and is one aspect why Thailand hasn't developed to its full potential. I find you trying to defend it quite sad, if that is what you are doing. Corruption here is rife and ingrained to the core of daily life. I do not see this happening in most modern western countries and certainly not on a street level.

Whilst I would agree corruption does happen in some countries, certainly not every country as you are suggesting unless the moon is one, I see it at the top level in some countries in banking etc and not at the middle and low level, such as here in Thailand. I have not come across corruption in other developed countries, on the scale it is here. Such as industries and government departments, police, customs and even at the shop level, like happens here every day. I find it sickening and hope the Thai people will take no for an answer and step up and stop these practices. Although I am not holding my breath.

[Nowisee]

I am the victim of corruption from Chiang Mai immigration. The POS that issues certificates of residency (a stupidly required document) offered me the next day service for 500 baht, since I wanted the free version it has taken 30 days.

Edited October 18, 2014 by Nowisee

[anselpixel]

All of us pay 500 baht for next day residency papers. The system works well, and they even opened a special office to take care of the requests. Just cough up a few bucks, and get what you want. No need to make a huge issue out of something that's been the same since time out of mind.

Business as usual becomes corruption when people we don't approve of start collecting the money, and I reserve that judgment to the police. It's much less pleasant being robbed by a man with a gun than a bunch of nice kids sitting at desks.

I have been stopped several times in Chiang Mai and Pattaya. The only cop who didn't shake me down and pocket the fine was one in Pattaya, and he didn't only because the military was watching.

[getthaid]

Gotta get this out on my telex machine immediately.

Wait - the telex machine is 4 decades out of date.

As is this story.