Former Bangkok police chief 'arrested with gun' in Japanese airport

[Anthony5]

For those who want to have a go at Thai airport security consider this.

If he did take the weapon out of Thailand undetected it means that Japanese airport security also failed to detect it when he entered Japan.

Is your checked luggage screened on arrival these days?

[halloween]

For those who want to have a go at Thai airport security consider this.

If he did take the weapon out of Thailand undetected it means that Japanese airport security also failed to detect it when he entered Japan.

Is your checked luggage screened on arrival these days?

Quite often, as I clear Customs. Isn't yours?

[optad]

For those who want to have a go at Thai airport security consider this.

If he did take the weapon out of Thailand undetected it means that Japanese airport security also failed to detect it when he entered Japan.

That is true rob but security upon boarding aircraft is a little different to the type of security preventing what is brought into a country legally or illegally. In event, i do not know of an airport whose procedures are not stricter getting on than getting off.

Indeed my bags have never been checked arriving in Thailand in countless visits. Generally immigration know already who is bringing contraband into host countries before the plane even leaves its departure point.

But your point stands.

[lujanit]

Foreigners just don't understand 'Thainess'

[peterb17]

I forgot I had a can of shaving foam in my carry on bag- I was treated like a suspect terrorist at Heathrow - was not at all a pleasant experience.

Aren't guns and ammo quite heavy? Sounds unlikely he forgot- maybe he did just like my can of foam!

[optad]

Japanese resident and currently naturalising individual here!

His goose is cooked. He will not be released. In Japan, the conviction rate after arrest is extremely high. Like upwards of 95%. An American Toyota executive who mailed herself narcotics is probably going to go to prison. I myself have had to make alternate arrangements for a non-controlled (NON-CONTROLLED!) medicine because Japanese law has gotten stronger that I can no longer have it shipped in from abroad (it is not available in the same manner in Japan, even with a valid prescription, which I have). I have known individuals caught with one joint who have gone to prison for several years before being deported.

Japanese officials cannot be bribed, they cannot be persuaded, they do not listen, and they often ignore the requests and even demands of embassies. There is no right to a speedy trial, no right to a jury trial, and you can be held without due process for a significant amount of time. If you are non-Japanese, you have less legal recourse than a Japanese national. Now, that said, crime here is extremely low, and so is stupidity, in general, and generally there's not a lot of risk to people who aren't actually, you know, being morons.

I will also lose respect for my government if they allow him to walk away, when I have seen what they have done to stupid teenagers with one beer or one joint.

Some years back I worked in Japan for 12 months. One of the western engineers in the company was arrested for drunk driving. There was no accident he was pulled over for eratic driving, this was well into the evening and we was well over the limit.

End of story - he was held in custody, company was contacted (because he was carrying a Japanese work permit) (In the industry concerned the company was required to register at least 2 telephone numbers of senior / safety staff with the local police and the Japanese company staff were always very careful to ensure an alternate number was registered if someone was on holidays etc.).

The company official was told to send an employee to this guys apartment and pack his belongings and deliver them to the police station at the airport within 6 hours. By midday the next day he was on a flight out, he was escorted onto the flight by the police who watched him until the aircraft door was closed.

Great story. How is this for a comparison.

I was working in Lamchabang for a company building a big gas platform circa 2008. We were not allow to drive and as such assigned drivers to organized our commute. One Friday night. one of the Brits decided he wanted to drive and go 'see the sites'. Organised with one of the drivers from the car pool to borrow a car. Well, he enjoyed himself too much, got drunk in sriracha, smashed the car into another pickup. Police collected him, locked him up in a cell overnight with a bunch of Burmese.

Turns out the sticking point was the division of the money for the police and the owner of the pick up. 40000 baht to be divided between them once the insurance guy 'determined' in conjunction with the police, the car pool driver was driving and the insurance company to pay all damages. THe insurance representative lent him the 40000k to clear the police.

He missed the next days work but was back the day after, the Thai driver subsidized for a few lost days work before getting a brand new Camry via the insurance company.

All because the Thai police processed the paperwork in a way to collect a bribe.

[Baerboxer]

Poor man, this could happen to anyone.

I've forgotten how many times I've accidentally left a firearm in my carry on bag.

What a weak excuse, carry on bags are used by most for items they will need during the flight so he didn't pack his before heading to the airport ?

Maybe you don't forget your Fire Arm in your Carry-on as you don't own one. But he does!

If you have been through check out at any airport you will noticed a big bin full of knives, screw drivers, sharp objects, and all kinds of stuff which is illegal to take with you on carry-on. So even if you are an elephant and don't forget, many people do. I forgot my Swiss Army Knife once.

This is not as serious as everyone here seems to believe. Embarrassing...perhaps! But not serious!

When they discover it was an accident they will let him go. I have no doubt about that.

But I do like reading these Thai Police Bashers Nonsense here, and trying to make a Federal Case out of nothing. I bet the Boys on Air Force One are not carrying Water Pistols either.

So you see nothing wrong with a Thai policeman illegally carrying a gun and ammunition onto a plane in a country where he has absolutely no more authority than any other tourist?

Maybe the Japanese police would care to check all he has been doing whilst in their country.

He isn't a member of a CQPG or secret service guard, nor was he on official business. Whether you like it or not, the RTP are regarded as one of the most corrupt, inefficient, ineffective and unprofessional police forces in the world.

[timmyp]

My post of a Japanese news article indicating that the Thai cop was release hours ago was just removed (because the link led to a Japanese site)

So, the Thai cop was released hours ago after negotiations with the Thai embassy, and is expected to return to Japan. I would love to provide a link as proof, but it will just be deleted.

Shouldn't that be "expected to return to Thailand"? I suspect return to Japan might be discouraged, at least in the short term.

Did they give his gun back?

Ha, ha, Yes, I meant to say "return to Thailand," totally sorry about that.

The article didn't mention anything about the gun being returned or confiscated.

I'm sure he brought the gun with him, it's crazy expensive to purchase a handgun in Japan. No mention of people saying, "How did he manage to get the gun into Japan in the first place??"

[mercman24]

well i would have felt very safe knowing i had an "air marshal" on board my flight. (hold on a minute while i get my gun out of the overhead locker) he he

[scorecard]

My post of a Japanese news article indicating that the Thai cop was release hours ago was just removed (because the link led to a Japanese site)

So, the Thai cop was released hours ago after negotiations with the Thai embassy, and is expected to return to Japan. I would love to provide a link as proof, but it will just be deleted.

Shouldn't that be "expected to return to Thailand"? I suspect return to Japan might be discouraged, at least in the short term.

Did they give his gun back?

Ha, ha, Yes, I meant to say "return to Thailand," totally sorry about that.

The article didn't mention anything about the gun being returned or confiscated.

I'm sure he brought the gun with him, it's crazy expensive to purchase a handgun in Japan. No mention of people saying, "How did he manage to get the gun into Japan in the first place??"

Look at it this way.

I find it difficult to believe that foreigners (regardless of where you come from or your last job) can line up and buy handguns in Japan.

[Doc46]

There you have it,,,,Think they are EX cop that they can do anything they want,,,,chuck him in jail in Japan and leave him there.

[scorecard]

My post of a Japanese news article indicating that the Thai cop was release hours ago was just removed (because the link led to a Japanese site)

So, the Thai cop was released hours ago after negotiations with the Thai embassy, and is expected to return to Japan. I would love to provide a link as proof, but it will just be deleted.

Shouldn't that be "expected to return to Thailand"? I suspect return to Japan might be discouraged, at least in the short term.

Did they give his gun back?

Ha, ha, Yes, I meant to say "return to Thailand," totally sorry about that.

The article didn't mention anything about the gun being returned or confiscated.

I'm sure he brought the gun with him, it's crazy expensive to purchase a handgun in Japan. No mention of people saying, "How did he manage to get the gun into Japan in the first place??"

There's a report 20 minutes ago on the paper that cannot be mentioned that he's still being held by the police in Japan

[Baerboxer]

For those who want to have a go at Thai airport security consider this.

If he did take the weapon out of Thailand undetected it means that Japanese airport security also failed to detect it when he entered Japan.

Is your checked luggage screened on arrival these days?

Quite often, as I clear Customs. Isn't yours?

Never had customs screen or check my luggage as I go through in Thailand.

Some airports screen before the carousel. No idea if that happens here.

[Thaddeus]

....how can you forget you are carrying a gun and ammunition....

Only if you feel naked without one.

[thaigold]

Is there one farang out there that is so naive as to believe the former police chief of New York City would be arrested in Japan for possessing a personal weapon? If so, I've got a bridge I'll sell you.

[elgordo38]

but didn't realize he had left it in his carry-on bag.

So that would be TWICE that he didn't realized he's got a gun in his carry on yes?

on the way over and back from Japan yes?

Ok, who are we to argue with a general and Thaksin's pet....

Ex police chief? Is he retired now?

[Jimlove]

to be fair to the poor chap ..when growing up his school teacher told him thailand is the center of the world ..and countries that surround us are mere provincies that we own ...thus giving him an instant superiority ego rush..so guys b4 you castigate the poor guy remember it was his superior education that made him thus...

Agree - I feel sorry for the poor chap as well, having an IQ lower than a cockroache how should he know that he is not above the law like home in the supreme country of LOS ...

It must have been a terrible experience for him to find out that he is not some kind of human God outside of LOS and that countries outside of LOS actually follow the Laws ...

Maybe he should just blame his mia noi for packing his carryon-bag so he did not know where all his weapons were ...

Finally it could be that he think Japan is some Thai Province considering the level of education he prob have ...

I feel sad for the poor guy - he didnt know any better, really

[mango66]

I beleave him, he didn't know that he had this gun in his handlaguage -

problem ? Airport security

,

as he as a high police officer didn't went trough the security channel,

he was guided trough - beside any security by the " Security police " on airport;

That you can forget such things in your hl, I had experianced,

as I was catched 3 times in Suvarnabhumi withn dangerous weapan on security control,

wit a " NAIL Siccor, "" sharp edge 2,3 cm long !!

But I was lucky , 2 times they just confiscated it for the security ladies,

because they like the good quality of europe products;

The 3rd time , :-(( - very sad story for them,

i returned the siccor to my wife which were still waiting me in the airport;

By the way, once my wife had the same siccor in my toilet bag in her handlagguage -

"" Yes You are right "" she just were wafed trough !!

[halloween]

Is your checked luggage screened on arrival these days?

Quite often, as I clear Customs. Isn't yours?

Never had customs screen or check my luggage as I go through in Thailand.

Some airports screen before the carousel. No idea if that happens here.

Thailand, no. Arriving FROM Thailand into Oz, every time, AFTER the carousel. Standard routine is Immigration, carousel, Customs. Sometimes get hand-grip swab tests as well. No rubber gloves yet.

BTW Once only I answered the usual "Did you pack your bags yourself?" with "No, I got my girlfriend's pimp to do it for me." Definitely not recommended.

[timmyp]

Ha, ha, Yes, I meant to say "return to Thailand," totally sorry about that.

The article didn't mention anything about the gun being returned or confiscated.

I'm sure he brought the gun with him, it's crazy expensive to purchase a handgun in Japan. No mention of people saying, "How did he manage to get the gun into Japan in the first place??"

There's a report 20 minutes ago on the paper that cannot be mentioned that he's still being held by the police in Japan

I am looking at new report from the Nippon Keizai Shinbun that came out within the last hour that says he has been arrested and is being held.

I am also looking at two other articles that say he was released after negotiations with the Thai embassy! But those are a few hours old. I would provide links, but they will be deleted.

I would venture to say the latest articles are true, that scorecard is correct. I wonder what caused the mix-up.

[webfact]

Ex BKK Top Cop Still Under Japanese Custody, Official Says

By Khaosod English


A file photo of Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamronwit Thoopkrachang.

BANGKOK - The former commander of Bangkok police force is still under custody of Japanese police for allegedly trying to bring a gun past an airport security checkpoint, a government spokesperson said.

Sek Wannamethee, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters today that the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo has dispatched lawyers and interpreters to assist the former police chief, Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamronwit Thoopkrachang.

Thai officials say Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamronwit was arrested on 22 June after security officers found a firearm and some ammunition in his carry-on bag at Narita Airport, one of two international airports in Tokyo.

Officials have not commented on why Pol.Lt.Gen. Kamronwit, who served as commander of Bangkok Metropolitan Police from 2012 to 2014, was carrying a gun at the time.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1435124345


-- Khaosod English 2015-06-24

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

There's a report 20 minutes ago on the paper that cannot be mentioned that he's still being held by the police in Japan

Why do folks here persist in saying incorrect things like this regarding the Bangkok Post.

You can perfectly well mention the Bangkok Post here. You just can't quote from or link to their articles.

And, the update from the Post says Japanese prosecutors are supposed to decide by this afternoon whether to file criminal charges against him.

It also says, Thai police tried to coordinate with Japanese police in arranging assistance (everyone here knows what that means), but were unable to do so, and the case needed to follow the procedure of Japanese law... And so he's now been in Japanese custody for two full days, thus far.

Meanwhile, the same article continues to only refer to him as a former high level Thai police officer -- no mention of any current position. Makes me wonder if he was retired or whatever else they call it, somewhere along the line. Or perhaps long-term inactive post.

[halloween]

Is there one farang out there that is so naive as to believe the former police chief of New York City would be arrested in Japan for possessing a personal weapon? If so, I've got a bridge I'll sell you.

Is this an American thing, believing the laws of other countries don't apply to you? Do you really believe the rest of the world has to accept the American penchant for "personal weapons" as somehow over-riding the laws that apply to their own citizens?

[Traveller45]

Well yes he should know better. Why don't we give the guy a break? People make mistakes. I once forgot my LEATHERMAN® in my carry-on bag and forgot about it, and I lost it that way- Was an expensive one, too. We have stuff in there that we need, depending on profession. Why should a Police officer not have a spare handgun in there? Here goes: He was apprehended on the way out of Japan. There is no need to bring handguns into Thailand for criminal purposes since they are readily available anywhere. What he did with it while in Japan, who knows, but perhaps he can legitimately carry it while abroad. Ever considered that?

[dotpoom]

Can we assume no amount of money can fix this?

It's not a problem.........."and then we will coordinate with him to ask how we can assist."

[Alwyn]

The guy is an ex-chief of police so I would assume he understands security protocol and how hand luggage is scanned etc so personally I think there's a lot more to this story than is being released to the media. What that could possibly be, I have no real inkling but I do know that each province in Thailand has one person permitted to carry a sidearm on board although that is domestically of course, maybe there was "user error"? Having said that, if he's ex-plod, that person probably isn't him anyway

[northernphil]

Let us for one mo imagine he did board the plane with his guns and ammo. 1 Hour into the flight he gets his hand luggage down. He is sitting next to you " OOps I forgot I had this with me " Screaming and creaming passengers , plane diverted to nearest airport , police waiting , international incident. Big punishment to come . And so it should be the same even if he got nabbed before boarding. So there........my 50 satang worth.

[JonnyF]

This doesn't look very good given the Japanese recent concerns with Thai aviation safety (assuming he brought it from Thailand, which given the strict gun laws in Japan I would assume he did).

Do the Japanese really want flights from Thailand with Thai "VIP's" carrying guns on board because Thai's consider it bad form to search VIPs? Probably not.

[BKKBrit]

Let us for one mo imagine he did board the plane with his guns and ammo. 1 Hour into the flight he gets his hand luggage down. He is sitting next to you " OOps I forgot I had this with me " Screaming and creaming passengers , plane diverted to nearest airport , police waiting , international incident. Big punishment to come . And so it should be the same even if he got nabbed before boarding. So there........my 50 satang worth.

Trouble is, he was flying Thai - probably 1st Class...and no one would have batted an eyelid, let alone the dopey crew.

[edwardflory]

His new nickname is Paladin. Showing my age there, what.

BTW will make an interesting compare and contrast with the Pakistan case.

" Have Gun will travel,' Reads the card of a man, !! Showin my age as well, !!

MISS that show....Bat Masterson also