Matichon: Dissolution of the Royal Thai Police

[siampolee]

The setting of an acceptable above average education level, a full background check into the applicants background and his or her famiy history reaching back say 35-50 years to find any possible skeletons in the closet or links to the less than honest population.

Once the initial training period is sucessfuly completed a 1 year probationary period as an assessment tool regarding professional conduct both on and off of duty.

A starting salary for those who complete police cadet school sucessfully of at least 20,000 baht a month plus accomdation or a rent allownce. All equipmet supplied, uniforms, telephones, firearms motor cycles radio's etc.

Upon completion of a sucessful probation period a salary increase of 5,000 a month hence basic salary level equals 25,000 per month.

Lastly no officer class all promotions to an officer must be based on past trck record , anbility and examination processes.

Well that's the.first five years of this scheme..

Second twenty years a delightful pipe dream I think we all are fully aware that reality will never bite here in Thailand

[Alwyn]

How about firing the entire force, then recruit again based on knowledge, past experience and few tests to pass.

In the mean time military can take over policing, can not be any worse than it is now

yayy a police state!!

[Tatsujin]

As far as I can see if the Police is or was being a political force to balance or otherwise it was not doing its duty.

It did exactly what it was designed to do back in 2010 when they refused to come out and take care of the red protestors and forced the Government at the time to use the Military instead, exactly as was planned by Thaksin.

And some of you should be looking into your crystal balls a little and wondering why it is that this is happening right now ... big changes are a'comin'!

[mulenguex]

And now this is more like cleaning the image of Thailand instead of closing happy ending shops.

[chrisinth]

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Start with paying them a livable wage - and supplying all their equipment rather than being forced to buy it, then crack down on corruption.

That would just mean they would have two mia noi's to look after instead of one................

IMHO, with the current regime in place, of course.

[Ianatlarge]

The power of the police in internal Thai politics will change, i.e. less power, thus hindering the prospect of a return by Mr T. Corruption? NO. The same, different fish, same bite. Perhaps (perhaps) the tourist cops being run by the Min of Tourism might just make them more efficient, or not.

Perhaps sacking the entire police force, the entire mil force, all the gov depts, that might help.

[Iumentum]

Maybe then, they can get back to what they are supposed to do... you know serve and protect?

[Zatoichi]

Outstanding! Root out Taksin cronies and thugs wherever they hide.

[Minnehaha]

They forgot to mention the most time consuming responsibility they have: MOTORCADES

[KevinB]

Oh bummer - it was so much easier popping into the local police station to sort things out - now it's gonna be a much longer drive to the divisional HQ. Wake up and smell the coffee folks - part of the "problem" with the Thaksin regime (which I think people actually voted for) is one group of people got a bit pissed about always having to share.

[Alwyn]

So the two political parties in Thailand commence war. The Army and the Police. Bit of a Hobson's choice as they're not really any different are they. I feel for the regular Thais, it's their country. Ultimately Farangs have the option to leave if they wish to.

[Alwyn]

Outstanding! Root out Taksin cronies and thugs wherever they hide.

So tell me, did the police not exist before Thaksin's time at the helm? Who did the police work in those days before history started in Thailand (for you anyway)?

[John1thru10]

I don't think anyone will disagree that drastic reform of the Royal Thai Police is urgently needed. However whatever shape the reforms take it will be a gargantuan task. You cannot simply sack the lot, despite their innefficiency and incompetence absolute chaos would ensue. Replacing senior officers with members more amenable to the Juntas way of thinking is all very well, but they will have to work with the vast majority of officers who (according to the OP) are Thaksin and/or red shirt sympathisers.

"You cannot simply sack the lot"

Why not?

They did it in Georgia (the country) and criminality actually went down!!

I can imagine the same will happen here, considering all the dirty activities the cops are involved in.

Georgia is a famous disaster in the world, dude. Don't emulate anything with Russian influence, ever.

[yougivemebaby]

This goes back on the saying of who is going to police the police.? They have way too much power. There is no system of checks and balances. Only cash and gold.

[Blindside]

I recently read an article on the balance of power (must pick my words carefully) on csmonitor.com (also an informative quiz on Thailand btw).

In light of that article this "proposal" or thinking makes perfect "sense".

[spidermike007]

I would think over a trillion baht is needed to dissolve the RTP, and rebuild it in an effective manner. When you begin to think of the salary raises needed, for the over 230,000 policeman and officers, to get them to a living wage, that alone will require 27 billion baht per year, well into the distant future. Add in world class forensic laboratories, massive training of the detective forces, to bring them up to a respectable standard, new police cruisers, real motorcycles for the guys required to ride them, etc., etc., etc. And a major oversight layer, to make sure they do not revert back to the childs play graft, and villa purchasing they are now engaged in. The amount of work that has to be done is staggering. We all hope it can be done. We all know it needs to be done. But, will it be done?

[iReason]

"Rampant corruption in the system is only a secondary concern."

"The real intent is to break the back of the police as a force that has shown loyalty first to Thaksin."

Well, at least they are finally admitting what it is all really about.

Next, have Police Chief Somyat explain how he became enormously wealthy as a Policeman.

And, while they are at it, have the unelected PM explain how he accumulated his massive wealth as a Military man.

[wabothai]

In this respect the RTP or controllers may want to get some expertise from Western countries, preferably not the US.

corruption is a national problem. People need to learn that corruption is not normal and not a way to get things done.

[The manic]

They exist as part of the checks and balances against Military power. This has nothing to do with Mr T. It is all about establishing the dominance of the elite class supported by heavily rewarded military with big budgets and salaries worth killing for.

[ColdSingha]

so the reason for reform is to break thaksin's hold on the police not stop corruption

hmm, why am i not surprised, the official story has been stinkier than a fisherman's hat since day 1

[Enoon]

It's all in the third sentence of the OP:

"The real intent is to break the back of the police as a force that has shown loyalty first to Thaksin."

"Night of the Long Knives" Lite.

[Mr Yim]

Anyone who believes dissolving the RTP will remove Thaksin's support is barking mad. No matter the propaganda and anti Thaksin rhetoric, when democracy is eventually restored and fair elections are held, there will be only one winner. Thaksin and his supporters just have to sit this out and bide their time.

[lvr181]

You know this will turn into a major disaster. Moving the corruption around will not solve anything. They need to look at the 10 best police departments in the world. Determine what makes them the best and create that model.

Really? The authorities don't want to learn from others. Thailand people can solve everything - including curing Ebola! Much silence from that direction also

[JoeCard]

Does this mean that since the expiry date is at hand the money invested in "promotions" will need to be speedily recovered from the population and tourist on the streets and alleys of the land of smiles?

[Lupatria]

They say: "the fish stinks from the head". Well, after reading this I guess it started smelling from day one under the motto:

Law & Odor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phao_Sriyanond

[Si Thea01]

How about firing the entire force, then recruit again based on knowledge, past experience and few tests to pass.

In the mean time military can take over policing, can not be any worse than it is now

yayy a police state!!

According to some we're already in one.

[Minnehaha]

This will be interesting to watch.

Waiting for the push-back from RTP, there are some very powerful forces to be overcome with this reform.

Another reform they should look at is putting the immigration police under the auspices of the immigration and foreign affairs department. They are not really police, just immigration officers.

the shakedown game increase along Sukumvit from Ploen Chit to Prakanong and on major roads - where foreigners are stopped for no reason - is an example of such "push back", where officers (and in some cases Tesakj, not police) are doing what they like.

[Alwyn]

How about firing the entire force, then recruit again based on knowledge, past experience and few tests to pass.

In the mean time military can take over policing, can not be any worse than it is now

yayy a police state!!

According to some we're already in one.

Not allowed to say the word but let's say an autocratic military state at the moment?

[nigelnigel]

A far more urgent task is the reform of the top heavy (more than 3,000 generals!), highly corrupt and inefficient Thai armed forces.

This whole place is corrupt! Those in power will see to it that they are the most corrupt and in effect make the most $$$ and the most power. Overhaul the whole country and start with this thing called 'rule of law', accountability and transparency.

Good Luck Thailand

[timmyp]

Am I correct in thinking that this was just a 'Proposal', perhaps one of many?

Yes, this is just a proposal, it says so in the upper right of the diagram, เสนอตุ๊กตา