[Police] Checkpoint Tip-Off Group Closed and Admins Arrested

[mesquite]

http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/news/checkpoint-tip-off-group-closed-and-admins-arrested/

Checkpoint Tip-Off Group Closed and Admins Arrested

by CityNews

June 15, 2015

CityNews – Six admins behind the popular Facebook group that reveals police checkpoint locations in Chiang Mai have been issued arrest warrants on June 13, after orders from police chief Somyot Poompunmuang see similar groups across the country also closed down.

The Facebook group, with around 50,000 members, aimed at sharing information about where police checkpoints were found around the city, relying on posts to the page from other users.

According to Police Major General Montree Samboonnanon, the commander of Chiang Mai Provincial Police, the information provided has helped people avoid helmet and alcohol test checkpoints at night, resulting in a decrease of arrests being made. Suspects transporting narcotics also utilised the page to avoid checks.

Three of the six admins have been traced and arrested. They are all under 18 years of age. Police say the remaining three are yet to be traced.

Police discovered the three admins had been using drugs and were formally charged under drug related offences.

Police also demanded the admins close down the Facebook page.

A loose interpretation of the Computer Crimes Act is being used to arrest suspects, after Somyot told the Bangkok Post that “who gives them [users of the groups] the information will be considered to be aiding and abetting criminals and will be subject to prosecution…because they disseminate security-related information in violation of the law.”

Police acknowledged the advanced computer skills of one of the admins, and have asked him to come and help improve the Office of Chiang Mai Provincial Police’s online system and aid in tracing those who commit crimes on social media.

Police have not yet issued warrants for any other pages or Line groups, but have acknowledged that they have found over 30 pages dedicated to releasing police checkpoint information.

Current investigations are ongoing, and one of the arrested admins has released a statement apologising for his actions and warning others who open groups such as his to stop as it is against the law and can be a channel for criminals and drug smugglers to take advantage of.

[Orac]

Without anyone doing any pointing i am stumped as to which one is the criminal here??

[Thailand]

Could spill over to the other thread. I guess if admin here are asked by the authorities to reveal the real names of those posting such information they will have to do so?

[mesquite]

Could spill over to the other thread. I guess if admin here are asked by the authorities to reveal the real names of those posting such information they will have to do so?

That would be my guess.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

This is really sad. In Western countries, police ANNOUNCE checks themselves because the preventative effect to let people know that there are checks is doing more good than catching a couple traffic offenders.

Police in Thailand don't really operate the same way, to them it's just taking a hit in income (read: bribes).

So they hit on a page that does nothing other than enable the public to disseminate clearly visible public information, and the grease them up on an unrelated offense of 'using drugs'. Even if that's true and not fabricated then that's still a highly improper way to bully the general public.

[Jdiddy]

They dont exactly change their spots every day, if im heading to the old city or out to the superhighway over the ping river at lets say 10:30am i know there is a particular chokepoint/bridge to avoid for example

[Mapguy]

This is really sad. In Western countries, police ANNOUNCE checks themselves because the preventative effect to let people know that there are checks is doing more good than catching a couple traffic offenders.

Police in Thailand don't really operate the same way, to them it's just taking a hit in income (read: bribes).

So they hit on a page that does nothing other than enable the public to disseminate clearly visible public information, and the grease them up on an unrelated offense of 'using drugs'. Even if that's true and not fabricated then that's still a highly improper way to bully the general public.

That's a bit too cynical. The last paragraph, in particular, seems quite uncalled for. Bullying?

I don't agree that announcing check points would be all that effective in boosting compliance. Announcements, posted signage and dummy cameras, etc. regarding traffic safety probably all have some positive effect, but to what degree is anyone's guess, really. Indeed, the Chiang Mai traffic police very often make announcements warning people, post signs, etc. They will often focus on a particular offense. Fairly recently, for example, there was the enforcement of stopping at the "white line" at traffic stops to remind people to keep clear of turning traffic. But announcing checkpoints unofficially on Facebook is simply helping people to avoid getting caught for whatever offense they might be committing.

To toss off a line about losing income because of losing bribe money is just a gratuitous insult. Yes, some people do offer bribes (That is what a bribe is: an offer), and some police take them, but that's basically an insult. You could just as well say that less offenders means that the effort to increase traffic safety is working!!

I don't think the public is being bullied at all. If anything, I would hope that they practice greater flexibility in choosing spots for checks and also practice better pursuit of those who brazenly avoid being stopped either by simply speeding through a checkpoint or take evasive action that is dangerous to others, like doing U-turns on or entering into one way streets against traffic !! They all belong in jail.

By the way, doesn't it seem that more motorcyclists are wearing helmets these days in Chiang Mai? Not all, just more! Now, if only the hotshot bikers (usuaully helmeted) would chill and realize that they aren't on a racetrack.

[Srikcir]

How can police charge someone with aiding and abetting criminals when the so-called "criminals" avoid police checkpoints and not charged for any crime? If police have no idea of who is using information on checkpoint locations, how do they know those people must be criminals?

These charges are an abortion of justice. The police are the criminals in this case.

[PlastikbinLina]

Without anyone doing any pointing i am stumped as to which one is the criminal here??

The one with the beanie and dark glasses is the undercover officer. Can't you see that he/sha has to keep her identity secret.

[Orac]

Without anyone doing any pointing i am stumped as to which one is the criminal here??

The one with the beanie and dark glasses is the undercover officer. Can't you see that he/sha has to keep her identity secret.

The Thai answer to internet anonimity - the rest of the world has already moved on and knows to just use a picture of Brad Pitt.

[Frank James]

I wish they would hand out tickets for LOUD MUFFLERS! on both bikes and cars. And for blue/black smoke blowing out of ancient bikes, buses, and trucks.

[grkt]

hello, can someone PM me the FB group for Bkk and Pattaya checkpoints ? Or maybe Line group ? Thanks a lot.

[HowFatIsUrDog]

tor

[canthai55]

On 6/15/2015 at 1:07 AM, Thailand said:

Could spill over to the other thread. I guess if admin here are asked by the authorities to reveal the real names of those posting such information they will have to do so?

If it gets rid of the ever present Thai Bashing I am all for it.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Look for the app.   Just search for the Thai word for checkpoint.  (ด่าน)

[chippendale]

Citizens should have the right to help each other against highway robbery by thugs in uniform.