That is why Thailand is called the" wild wild east". The lawlessness has many plus's along with the negatives.

I myself like cowboy justice. If the risk is higher for a thief he will think twice before committing a crime in many cases.

In our granny states the thief probably would have sued the guy but here he just goes away licks his wounds and will think twice before trying that again. Maybe will never do again,Rehabilitated.

The old saying goes play with bull and can get the horn. Criminals by nature donot go to the law to take care of issues and here neither do the common man need too.

Laws donot protect most people laws tie their hands and limit their freedoms.

Here the lawlessness is good in many ways.

My favorite is Individuals have more freedoms in choices concerning property and buildings,Can build what you want when you want on your own land with few restrictions. I said few not none. And little permit and licensing issues.

Many in the UK would like to return to a time when petty theft was dealt with by a "clip around the ear".

Being from the colonies and only being in England for one month on a holiday I was always under the impression England made heroes of thieves. Robin Hood a fine example. And Charles Dickens had Fagen.

I like Thailands deal with them at the scene justice.

OP, I'm surprised that you are only seeing/hearing about this now. Up-country we call this village justice and it has been around I'm sure before people dressed up and pretended to be a police force.

For me, the only downside of this is that it can go too far and end up with someone dying. Personally, I don't believe people have confidence in the police force, and believe in most cases, the penalty does not deter the crime.

I am not sure that I would call it wrong, as I live here now and am not confused about what would happen in my country of origin.............................

No confusion about how it's dealt in my country, as I am aware there are lot of places in the world that are also lawless.

I was not aware it was the same here; I knew the police was corrupted and useless, I just did not realized to which level.

Corruption is endemic in the police force, and the government. Evidenced by the current scandal with one of the top cops. As was stated in one of the the articles about this, every ministry in the south was involved in his web of corruption. The difference being, corruption is from top to bottom in the police force. But only at the upper levels in the government as they are the ones handling the funds. Sad, but true.

With that being said, there are some good apples out there. And they do a great job. But quite a few bad ones also.

P.S. A post with a rude comment has been removed from view.

Regarding the top cop scandal, there is much, much, much more to this case that is not allowed to be discussed.

And getting this first hand, my son being a policeman in Chiang Mai, the police in Thailand do not have any real crime prevention policies, it`s if a crime happens and the police consider the crime is serious enough, they may decide to investigate or if they receive specific orders from their commanders, otherwise it is left to their own discretion as to what cases are given priority. Even severe crimes can take a considerable time before the police take the cases seriously. Another example is, if a customer shop lifts in one of the big stores, Tesco Lotus or Big C, the police will be on the scene within minutes, but if a small shop owner or local market trader apprehends and reports a shop lifter, I doubt whether the police would be interested, the same applies with household burglaries whereas it could take days or weeks before the police make a report. The big stores obviously pay their way towards the police force, but as more desperately needed support rather than corruption, depending how some like to interpret the situation. A similar scenario in the UK, whereas a policeman is never around if needed but if a vehicle is doubled parked then there are police swarming around the car like bees round a honeypot.

Even during an emergency there is no guarantees that 191 calls will be answered. The main reasons being that the Thai police are simply not given the budgets or the resources to be able to provide a reliable service. Most of their equipment is antiquated and has to be supplied by themselves. There is no Quincy type experts in forensics and few experts in the fields on the Thai police force for reasons that they couldn’t afford them. So compared to the police forces in the west, the Thai police force may appear like a Mickey mouse outfit in comparison.

This state of affairs should not be blamed on every individual police officer who risk their lives everyday and is a thankless job or department, but rather the Government that is failing to give support to the emergency services, including the fire brigands. Although many may complain about unproficient emergency services and police force, corruption and incompetence, at the end of the day a highly efficient police force and fire department has to be paid for that would involve a substantial increase in taxes for the funding. Of course this always brings the Government out of favour with the public, exactly the same scenario as in other countries. People want services but are reluctant to pay for them, forgetting the old Cliché that we only get what we pay for.

In the case of the OP, the policeman may have turned a blind eye while the thief was having the crap beaten out of him, but if the taxi guy would have seriously injured or killed the thief, than there would have been serious consequences, this is how it works here, plus considering wrongly or rightly depending on opinion, who is going to feel pity for a thief?

This is how it is, this is Thailand, we cannot make comparisons and expect the same attitudes and so-called values of our home countries. I have come to accept this long ago and no point in complaining because it will not change anything, ex-pats either except the country for what it is and what it isn’t or they don`t. It`s that simple.

Many in the UK would like to return to a time when petty theft was dealt with by a "clip around the ear".

So true!!

I got a clip across the top of the head and a kick up the jacksie by a 9 foot tall police sergeant at the age of 13. I'd shoplifted a coke.....and it wasn't the first time, but it sure was the last.

Copper dragged me from his car by the scruff of the neck and my feet didn't touch the ground as we progressed to my front door. He pounds the door with his ham size fists and awakens my parents. He explained the situation (I'm still hanging in mid-air), drops me, cuffs me across the head (I saw stars) and as I try to run in the door, his size 13's delivered a crippling blow to my arse.

Fair to say that it was a defining moment in life. The formerly bullet-proof "delinquent in the making" turned to a quivering heap of blubber.

Ironically, I became his personal banker about 15 years later. He was retired by then, and he didn't remember me of course (or so I thought), but being a small town, he apparently did. He commented once to my boss at a bank social function that a kick up the jacksie would sort me out if I ever gave him any problems. He said this with a wink in my direction. I owe that copper a lot.

He passed away four years ago at the age of 89 and he was so well respected they had to hire a huge hall for his funeral. I suspect like me, half the male attendees had received a thick ear from him.

This is how it is, this is Thailand, we cannot make comparisons and expect the same attitudes and so-called values of our home countries. I have come to accept this long ago and no point in complaining because it will not change anything, ex-pats either except the country for what it is and what it isn’t or they don`t. It`s that simple.

Then you have to explain to the 5 years old Thai girl who run to get my Farang friend that it is OK for people to club thieves to death ,because she did not think so

The police in this country don't enforce laws unless there is money in it for them. It's village justice and has always worked for the Thais. If you need a cops help you will have to pay him for his time. This is not the west, it's a completely different culture.

The police in this country don't enforce laws unless there is money in it for them. It's village justice and has always worked for the Thais. If you need a cops help you will have to pay him for his time. This is not the west, it's a completely different culture.

My THAI landlord disagree with you.

When a mooban bus driver assaulted me, he call the police. They would not budge.

He was outraged.

He then went to the Army, they did not care either.

He said "Poor Thailand, there is no justice anymore here".

OP, I'm surprised that you are only seeing/hearing about this now. Up-country we call this village justice and it has been around I'm sure before people dressed up and pretended to be a police force.

For me, the only downside of this is that it can go too far and end up with someone dying. Personally, I don't believe people have confidence in the police force, and believe in most cases, the penalty does not deter the crime.

I am not sure that I would call it wrong, as I live here now and am not confused about what would happen in my country of origin.............................

No confusion about how it's dealt in my country, as I am aware there are lot of places in the world that are also lawless.

I was not aware it was the same here; I knew the police was corrupted and useless, I just did not realized to which level.

" I knew the police was corrupted and useless, I just did not realized to which level."

To some extent that's true everywhere. In the US the police shoot or choke to death unarmed civilians with impunity and in the UK the police are on some payroll or other in addition to what they're paid by government.

OP, I'm surprised that you are only seeing/hearing about this now. Up-country we call this village justice and it has been around I'm sure before people dressed up and pretended to be a police force.

For me, the only downside of this is that it can go too far and end up with someone dying. Personally, I don't believe people have confidence in the police force, and believe in most cases, the penalty does not deter the crime.

I am not sure that I would call it wrong, as I live here now and am not confused about what would happen in my country of origin.............................

No confusion about how it's dealt in my country, as I am aware there are lot of places in the world that are also lawless.

I was not aware it was the same here; I knew the police was corrupted and useless, I just did not realized to which level.

" I knew the police was corrupted and useless, I just did not realized to which level."

To some extent that's true everywhere. In the US the police shoot or choke to death unarmed civilians with impunity and in the UK the police are on some payroll or other in addition to what they're paid by government.

Corruption is everywhere for sure, but again it's a question of level. Regular people don't do their own justice and beat a thief right bang in front of a policeman in the West

Weally, weally, weally scary.

A complete breakdown of law and order, no doubt about it.

I would head for the airport right this minute before it's too late.

BTW, why didn't you intervene?

Most advise says do not get involved, but one might expect a policeman to.

what do expect ? This is thailand you <deleted> its dog eat dog in these streets

Weally, weally, weally scary.

A complete breakdown of law and order, no doubt about it.

I would head for the airport right this minute before it's too late.

BTW, why didn't you intervene?

I am a woman with a chronic disease.

what is it called, mine is cowardice.

The problem is that as policeman you MUST be corrupt. You need to pay to get promoted. If you don't do that you stay forever as low policeman. As low policeman the salary is simply not enough for living. So one way or another you are dragged into corruption.

+1...Sounds correct. No choice be to be with the 'group'.

depends on who you know and how much you are prepared to pay

Police not in charge anymore

what do expect ? This is thailand you <deleted> its dog eat dog in these streets

Yeah, I agree, it's just like Mogadishu out there.

(Black Hawk down!!, Black Hawk down!! We're taking fire! We need back up now! )

Edited December 12, 201411 yr by Gecko123

Many in the UK would like to return to a time when petty theft was dealt with by a "clip around the ear".

or birched, i'm more for having his testicles crushed in a vice for any theft over 100 Baht but i'm maybe too liberal.

Is any developing country any different? I think people expect too much from Thailand. Give it another 20-30 years and it may be better.

Whilst being positive is admirable and I would like to say I am. On the other hand I am a realist. I would not call Thailand a developing country. iIn the 15 years here I have seen little development, so please excuse me if I am pessimistic. If you are talking about Bangkok or Chang Mai, well yes they are developing but they are not Thailand. In fact they are small in comparison of size to the rest of Thailand. With the way things are run here I would put a 0 on the end of your figures. I would love to see it but I wouldn't even say it was optimistic.

Same kind of stuff happens in some European countries too for sure. Its not like Thailand is worse of than Honduras or something.

Same kind of stuff happens in some European countries too for sure. Its not like Thailand is worse of than Honduras or something.

you must be American,Honduras is not in Europe

Corruption is everywhere for sure, but again it's a question of level. Regular people don't do their own justice and beat a thief right bang in front of a policeman in the West

I do. Always have. My wife too. After I'm done beating them I turn them over to the cops who beat them some more. Works for me. People should not steal.

Corruption is everywhere for sure, but again it's a question of level. Regular people don't do their own justice and beat a thief right bang in front of a policeman in the West

I do. Always have. My wife too. After I'm done beating them I turn them over to the cops who beat them some more. Works for me. People should not steal.

yeh agreed

Only monkeys should be allowed to steal.

Has anybody heard of a weird concept called "justice"?

I don't dispute you saw this.Though, I don't think these events are isolated to Thailand. In a lifetime of S.E. Asia, the only bad behavior I've witnessed was in war zones. The world is under construction.The highway to heaven is always being repaired, worked on.

Has anybody heard of a weird concept called "justice"?

It's a reserved occupation for billionaires.

Has anybody heard of a weird concept called "justice"?

This is Thailand there is free food and shelter at the Wat if you are hungry and homeless. Justice is not stealing. You want something; work. 1% unemployment anyone can get a job. Steal from my home and my dog will explain justice to you.

Edited December 12, 201411 yr by thailiketoo

Has anybody heard of a weird concept called "justice"?

This is Thailand there is free food and shelter at the Wat if you are hungry and homeless. Justice is not stealing. You want something work. 1% unemployment anyone can get a job.

Accept farang if it a menial job

Has anybody heard of a weird concept called "justice"?

This is Thailand there is free food and shelter at the Wat if you are hungry and homeless. Justice is not stealing. You want something; work. 1% unemployment anyone can get a job. Steal from my home and my dog will explain justice to you.

Justice is when you have criminals being judged and punished by OTHER people than the victims themselves.

And so is Thailand constitution

Has anybody heard of a weird concept called "justice"?

Would you rather have justice US cop style:

This article on justice by Murray Rothbard has it right:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/2014/12/murray-n-rothbard/we-can-have-a-just-legal-system/

The motorbike taxi guy would likely have been paying the police to operate, while the thief probably wasn't.

I keep seeing this and believe me, as a very regular user of the motosai guys (no other transport on Phuket etc), none of them pay the police Those with bamboo stands outside 'resorts' notwithstanding