Thai Police reward was unnecessary and UNPROFESSIONAL

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Police reward was unnecessary and UNPROFESSIONAL
The Nation

UNSEEMLY HASTE IN GIVING BT3 MILLION TO THE OFFICERS INVESTIGATING THE ERAWAN SHRINE BOMBING WHEN THE PRIME SUSPECTS ARE STILL AT LARGE

BANGKOK: -- The national police chief's decision to reward his own officers for doing their job in investigating the Erawan Shrine bombing has drawn criticism and ridicule both in Thailand and abroad. Online social networks are buzzing with scorn and editorial cartoonists have lampooned the "generous act".

General Somyot Poompanmuang announced on Monday that he would hand over the Bt3-million reward - offered for information leading to an arrest in connection with the August 17 attack - to the team of investigators that tracked down a suspect last Saturday. The police chief explained that the arrest resulted from "good police work" rather than outside tips.

"It was the ability of the Thai police that led to the arrest. This money should go to the officials who did their job," Somyot said at a press conference at Royal Thai Police headquarters. "One million comes from me and the other two million from my businessmen friends, who do not wish to be named," he added, displaying three thick wads of Bt1,000 notes on the podium in front of him.

The bombing put Thai police squarely in the global spotlight, and cautious praise greeted the first arrest last weekend. Yet this latest development was a shock for some foreign news media. "Thai police have given themselves the Bt3-million reward originally offered to the public," one international media outlet noted. "The move comes even though the chief suspect - a man in a yellow T-shirt seen on CCTV cameras dropping a black backpack at the shrine minutes before the explosion - is still at large."

It is sound business practice for managers to laud their subordinates when they perform well. In this case, however, rewarding them with huge cash bonuses seems excessive and unnecessary. A public acknowledgement and official recognition in the form of citations or medals would have been sufficient, particularly when the investigation is still in the early stages and no one has yet been specifically charged with carrying out the attack. With only two arrests made in connection with the bombing, there is a long way to go before this case can be closed.

Nor are we the first to warn that, in the first place, offering a large cash reward as an incentive to assisting in the investigation might well in fact foster haste and carelessness.

Panthongtae Shinawatra, son of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has separately offered a reward of Bt7 million, but he has shown more circumspection than the police chief. He has announced that his pledge will only be honoured when a government spokesman is able to "tell the world that the Thai authorities have arrested the gang responsible for the Ratchaprasong bombing".

Chief Somyot deserves a measure of praise for his public-spirited generosity in paying the reward from his own pocket, but it would have made more sense to wait until the central culprit, the mastermind behind this outrage, has been brought to justice.

It is duly noted that the multimillionaire police chief has less than a month left in office, limiting the time period in which he can show his appreciation for the work of the officers in his charge. He must by law retire at the end of this month, and the case is unlikely to be solved before then.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Police-reward-was-unnecessary-and-UNPROFESSIONAL-30268004.html

-- The Nation 2015-09-03

[Lunchbob]

Unfortunately agreed.

[Inn Between]

Are they even aware of how the world sees this? What a joke it makes of them?

Unfortunately, nothing will be done now to reverse this asinine decision or in the future to prevent such foolishness.

Is this case even really solved?

[anotheruser]

They deserved the reward, the only regrettable thing is it couldn't have been more.

[vadid]

'nothing will be done now to reverse this asinine decision or in the future'

'Asinine' one of my favourite words, one of great things about living in Thailand is that I have never had so much opportunity to use it.

[JeremyBowskill]

^^^ they deserve a reward for doing what they are paid to do anotheruser???? Even before a conviction???? Hhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm

[RIJoe]

In the west, rewards are usually paid predicated on the arrest AND conviction of the perpetrator(s). If there is no conviction, do they have to return the money?

[Inn Between]

They deserved the reward, the only regrettable thing is it couldn't have been more.

I don't think the police are usually rewarded directly like this in more progressive countries, but even if it's a good thing, don't you think that the reward should only be presented after a conviction and due process is completed to see how it should be divided? All the police (and helping citizens) involved should be regarded as a team and all get some of the "pie".

[aussieinthailand]

They deserved the reward, the only regrettable thing is it couldn't have been more.

Sorry mate but completely disagree, They should not have been given the reward for doing their job for which they are being paid.

"Good police work" should as the post say's be rewarded with citations, promotions, higher training and advancement opportunity's.

Why do you think companies running competition's prevent their workers from entering the comp? because the company's do not like how it can be perceived.

Also the case is no wear near solved, and some people could perceive this as an advanced tea money for favor's in the future.

[BSJ]

The mind boggles at the inane actions of some of the people who are in charge of things here.

[eeworldwide]

There is no "sane" person alive who could possibly think that there is anything right about the actions of this Police Chief's handling of the reward.

It's innappropriate on every level thinkable, it is embarrasing , and utterly premature.

It is easily a scene that could have come directly out of a Pink Panther, Inspector Clouseau escapade. The case is still utterly unsolved and becoming more farcical as time progresses.

They should all just shut up and get on with the job, instread of making arrrests willy nilly and spouting proclamations left right and centre, when nothing at all is conclusive.

This whole thing accurately reflects the mindset of the force as a whole.

A Mess.

[Laughing Gravy]

_{Finally something worth reading from the Nation. It could have gone further by saying it was a disgrace, Put Thailand in the spotlight for the wrong reasons and even say that the police should hand the money back as a token of goodwill.}

[jerojero]

This is so wrong. I've lost hope that Thailand will progress to a 1st world country. When things like this are so blatantly self serving, corrupt and wrong. The culture and country cannot progress with idiots at the top. It's sad, really so sad.

[eldragon]

This is so wrong. I've lost hope that Thailand will progress to a 1st world country. When things like this are so blatantly self serving, corrupt and wrong. The culture and country cannot progress with idiots at the top. It's sad, really so sad.

Yet in the first world our politicians award multi-billion dollar, non-bid contracts to corporations that previously employed them and will likely employ them after they leave office. Same same, but different.

[AndersNGA]

They deserved the reward, the only regrettable thing is it couldn't have been more.

Great comment anotheruser.

Just sad that the people in here are so narrow minded that they can't see the sarcasm in it.

Have a great day!

[Sarathi]

Well, the military can commit 'not a coup' and grant themselves amnesty

Why can't the police grant themselves a tidy reward too?

Next up, Thailand's top monks will grant themselves nibbana.

[alfredthegreat]

It's like making it legal to take money for yourself from a charity box.

[NongKhaiKid]

Unnecessary : Yes

Unprofessional : Yes

Thainess : Absolutely

[isopax]

To me it honestly made me feel bad on behalf of the Thai people and this reward in all this tragedy, was a golden opportunity for Thailand to show abit of #StrongerTogether as one nation, maybe even to the point to break down some of the barriers that this country has in between each other.

Instead it nailed it that its a divided society with an elite that keeps knocking over the rest, and i somehow have the feeling that even if the neigbours of the raided apartments actually were the ones who had given the police a tip - the outcome of where those money was to go was already decided from the start.

edit : and absolutely insane to do it before this case is closed, it blows my mind - also cant help thinking if the neighbours at the raided apartments is the real ones that should have gotten those money, but who are ever to discuss with the police in this part of the world.

[FireMedic]

In most cases, rewards are only paid AFTER a conviction! Not after the arrest of ONE of the dozens of people involved....and the conclusion of the case.

I would almost be ok with giving it to the cops after all arrests were made and all were convicted AND sentenced. Then maybe......Otherwise, just log it under typical Thainess.

[NovaBlue05]

Displaying the stack of money really did add an extra helping of sleaze to the event

[jerojero]

This is so wrong. I've lost hope that Thailand will progress to a 1st world country. When things like this are so blatantly self serving, corrupt and wrong. The culture and country cannot progress with idiots at the top. It's sad, really so sad.

Yet in the first world our politicians award multi-billion dollar, non-bid contracts to corporations that previously employed them and will likely employ them after they leave office. Same same, but different.

Yes, you are very correct my friend. In the West, just substitute Corporation for Elites in Thailand.

[konying]

Everyone can huff and puff, truth is this is normal police process here.

Any time one has a problem and needs police assistance , reward must be paid, other wise report gets written and filed away.

You been robbed and have thieves address, make reward payment, police arrest them.

Do not make reward payment and police can not find the address.

[bkkcanuck8]

They deserved the reward, the only regrettable thing is it couldn't have been more.

It is a "conflict of interest" and it is corrupting. You are paying people to do their job. Doing your job gives you commendations, and it gives you praise which going forward if you do it well means that you get promotions and move up. How seriously is the public going to take public rewards if it is awarded to police to do their job. I certainly would not take it seriously - because when it comes down to it is going to be received as a fraudulent offer where even if you come forward - police will take credit for it. Then who is going to arbitrate on who deserves it the police with a conflict of interest? Right - Joe public would have no chance.

Large rewards to the public increase tips, but it also increases significantly tips that do not pan out because people are going to throw anything at the wall and hope it sticks - which means there is always a balancing act on offering a reward and the knowledge that you are going to have to staff up to handle all the "tips".

What happens when you do the same thing with police.... yep... you end up with a lot of innocent people being arrested because of the same reason - and this is not justice.

[Fat Haggis]

They deserved the reward, the only regrettable thing is it couldn't have been more.

Great comment anotheruser.

Just sad that the people in here are so narrow minded that they can't see the sarcasm in it.

Have a great day!

and yet you did?

[jimstar1]

Got To love Thailand That's Why The Expats are Packing there bags Thainess Rewards for Police doing there Job another great Joke

[bim]

UK Police are given bonuses so why not the Thai Police. Maybe should have waited until they had a conviction rather than an arrest.

[Valentine]

This is so wrong. I've lost hope that Thailand will progress to a 1st world country. When things like this are so blatantly self serving, corrupt and wrong. The culture and country cannot progress with idiots at the top. It's sad, really so sad.

Yet in the first world our politicians award multi-billion dollar, non-bid contracts to corporations that previously employed them and will likely employ them after they leave office. Same same, but different.

That is no justification for giving out the reward before the case is even solved let alone convictions made. It made the police chief look even more unprofessional after all the ludicrous statements & the handling of evidence. Very similar to how the Koh Tao murder case was handled but they did not learn from that.

[Linky]

Next is for the accused to be given the reward upon confession.

Just as stupid as this decision.

Who the hell ever heard of govt employees being rewarded like this.

[klauskunkel]

Thai high ranking bureaucrats are simply totally oblivious to how their actions may look on an international stage. They are used to act on impulse unilaterally because the culture they created does not allow for criticism or honest advice. They are alone at the top without real-world input and all they hear all day is how smart they are, what a clever idea this is and that they can do no wrong. It has to be that way because of the manner they reached their positions, which has nothing to do with capability, merit, intelligence or skill, but has everything to do with nepotism, inheritance, favor trading and position buying. Inverted Darwinism, really...and now it bit the Police Chief in the buttocks, except he is too dense to even realize it.

Disclaimer: this is a fictional piece and no real bureaucrats were hurt in it's writing (and if they were, who gives a toss)