Thai police admit they were involved in a shooting in which a schoolgirl was shot

[Briggsy]

If one reads the Thai press, you will know the accidental shooting of unintended passers-by by the police is very common here.

[Lantern]

Incompetence at it's finest.

All the best to the young girl.

[gandalf12]

I hope the girl gets well soon.

[lvr181]

The cynical negativity shown in the majority of TV posts used to be annoying, now I find it mildly amusing. I suppose I am just becoming used to reading the thoughts of the bored, the unloved, and those who now are without purpose.

It's true that this is a major and serious event that must be investigated, that an innocent bystander can be so seriously injured is a worry to us all, but as someone has stated previously the RTP have immediately acknowleged what took place and are treating it with the importance it deserves.

What more do you want?

We all know the problems that existed within the law enforcement agencies in the past, are there any out there who can honestly say nothing has changed?

IMHO major changes have been instigated, accountability is being introduced, there is an attempt being made to bring transparency into how these agencies work. Like all major change though it will take time, many of the endemic problems may well require generational effort to ensure the results are permanant.

If you can bridle your negativity for just a short time, you may be able to see that some small progress is indeed being made, you never know it might just cheer you up!!!

Keeping the pressure on to ensure that progress doesn't stop? That cannot be all bad.

An acknowledgement by Police of culpability is a starter. Not the be all and end all, merely a starter.

[farangmick]

"He said that the drug traffickers opened fire first after seeing the plainclothes policemen prompting the latter to return fire"

They saw a plainclothes policeman?

Hmm, so how did they do that then?

"Plain clothes" round my way seems to consist of removing shirt and hat. The black boots, uniform trousers, tight white T-shirt and gun belt tend to give them away. I hope this squad made more effort.

[farangmick]

If this was a planned operation, part of the planning should have involved choosing a location that minimised the risk to innocent parties.

[apetley]

I wish the young lady a speedy recovery. I am sure the police feel bad about this and I hope the girl is compensated properly. These incidents of 'collateral' damage can and do frequently occur when gunfights are in progress. (Or for that matter bombing raids).

Oh yes Im sure they will compensate

Struck by police bullet 50.000 baht

Catch a bomber 3 million baht

Catch an alleged bomber not even tried and convicted yet!

[ozyjon]

When i first went to los i noticed how many people were wearing Police

T shirts and jackets, in big cities and i saw young kids riding bikes

wearing police jackets, only later i realized you can buy these clothes

in any market, maybe not a good idea to be a target.

[Jim walker]

The traffickers managed to escape but they managed to nail an innocent bystander do they have any training the police or is it just an old boy network top to bottom and even people without a single brain cell can get a wepon and be licenced to shoot anyone even children, hope she makes a full and speedy recovery.

[Si Thea01]

"He said that the drug traffickers opened fire first after seeing the plainclothes policemen prompting the latter to return fire"

They saw a plainclothes policeman?

Hmm, so how did they do that then?

With their eyes, how else?

Obviously you know nothing about policing. Many criminals are familiar with undercover (plain clothes police)owing to having previous dealings with them or they have been pointed out by other criminals who might know them. Police also become known because they operate in certain areas and the criminals get to know them quite quickly. Not all criminals are dumb.

The media report is poor and something may have been lost in the translation. The police may well have identified themselves, we don't know as it hasn't been reported. It's also a risk when criminals open fire, as they don't give a toss if there is collateral damage.

So the police were hauled in to admit their involvement. Of course they were involved but it doesn't mean that one of them actually shot the young victim. Maybe one of the criminals did, no one knows until the incident has been investigated and forensics carried out on the bullets and guns of the police.

Pretty poor of the senior police to parade the younger officers without knowing who was actually responsible. Even if it was a Police Officer there is nothing to be gained in splashing their photos in all the newspapers. Oh I forgot, the big boys always enjoy their 5 minutes of fame while the minnows suffer.

Given what we have been told it appears to be an unfortunate accident and one feels for the victim but for the life of me I cannot understand why many on here jump in where angels fear to tread and offer their expert opinions without knowing the full facts. One has the right to criticise but only when they are fully aware of all the circumstances and all tests have been carried out.

[berybert]

"He said that the drug traffickers opened fire first after seeing the plainclothes policemen prompting the latter to return fire"

They saw a plainclothes policeman?

Hmm, so how did they do that then?

She had her police dog on a lead and had forgotten to take its police helmet off. Easy mistake to make.

[chrisinth]

If this was a planned operation, part of the planning should have involved choosing a location that minimised the risk to innocent parties.

If it is a case of actually catching them in the act for a prosecution to stand, then choosing the location isn't always an option.

[chrisinth]

My crystal ball tells me that the investigation is a foregone conclusion. It will show that it was not a police bullet that hit the girl.

Actually would have to disagree with that conclusion.

The very fact that it is being broadcast that the police were involved would lean me towards it likely being a police round that hit the girl.

[chrisinth]

I am sure the police feel bad about this and I hope the girl is compensated properly. These incidents of 'collateral' damage can and do frequently occur when gunfights are in progress. (Or for that matter bombing raids).

Doubtful that the police feel bad or that the girl's family will receive compensation. When there is no independent investigation of shootings involving police, there can be no review of whether the use of firearms was justified. This is particularly true in drug cases, because arresting drug offenders is an easy way for police to make it look like they are doing their jobs, and often receive higher compensation for doing as such.

The story of the police is highly suspect. They said the suspects opened fire after seeing "plainclothes policemen". If they were plainclothes, it is doubtful that the suspects would have opened fire on them. The more likely scenario is that the anti-narcotics unit found someone they wanted to plant drugs on, and, when the victims ran off, the police recklessly opened fire on them, and a stray round struck the poor girl. The fact that this firestorm apparently was perpetrated on a public roadway should raise red flags as to whether the police following proper procedures in using their firearms (as if any such standards exist in Thailand).

If this truly was a justified use of firearms by the police, collateral damage can occur, and an innocent can get injured or killed. I just don't buy that is what happened here. However, I am certain that, now they are looking into the matter, the RTP will conclude the shooting was justified and that the girl was just a victim of circumstance. Life remains cheap in Thailand, and the police continue to be rogues and renegades in the mix of things.

"The more likely scenario is that the anti-narcotics unit found someone they wanted to plant drugs on, and, when the victims ran off, the police recklessly opened fire on them"

I think that everyone who has lived here, even for a short time, knows the reputation of the police, but the above 'likely scenario' takes opinions to a new level, IMO.

Firestorm, really? Your view of course, but my aspect would be that it was an undercover operation which escalated. Only to try and give them some credit for a thankless, dangerous job that someone needs to do.

Really sorry for the girl; i understand she is now in a stable condition.

[Jonathan Swift]

Handguns are very inaccurate. Need accurate semi auto rifles and sharpshooter. Police should take courses in sting operations from American SWAT teams,

Edited October 10, 2015 by Jonathan Swift

[bangon04]

"He said that the drug traffickers opened fire first after seeing the plainclothes policemen prompting the latter to return fire"

They saw a plainclothes policeman?

Hmm, so how did they do that then?

could it be they recognised his face from previous dealings??

or perhaps the criminals saw the police photo op press conference on TV where the guy with all the extra medals announced that the crackdown would be taking place on that day in that street and warrants were being prepared for the criminals in the gang, and the crackdown would be carried out by a large group of plain clothes police to make sure the criminals did not notice them.

Edited October 10, 2015 by bangon04

[speedtripler]

Handguns are very inaccurate. Need accurate semi auto rifles and sharpshooter. Police should take courses in sting operations from American SWAT teams,

Yeah, because American trigger happy police never shoot an innocent person lol

Almost Daily occurrence in one state or another ...

[Stargeezr]

Does the Thailand constitution have the phrase. " The right to bear arms", of course not, that is in the

USA. How many more shootings in the USA will it take before their gun laws are at least changed.

I am glad to hear that the police are still going after drug offenders, but sad to hear that an innocent by stander got hit.

Life in Thailand is not perfect, by any means, but I would rather visit there than Iraq, Egypt, or most ME countries.

[springheeled jack]

I find this article not only unbelievable but also unnerving the plainclothes police firing their weapons in an area where there was obviously traffic otherwise this young girl would not have been injured and to cap it all they don't know who fired his weapon ?

[Bluespunk]

"He said that the drug traffickers opened fire first after seeing the plainclothes policemen prompting the latter to return fire"

They saw a plainclothes policeman?

Hmm, so how did they do that then?

With their eyes, how else?

Obviously you know nothing about policing. Many criminals are familiar with undercover (plain clothes police)owing to having previous dealings with them or they have been pointed out by other criminals who might know them. Police also become known because they operate in certain areas and the criminals get to know them quite quickly. Not all criminals are dumb.

The media report is poor and something may have been lost in the translation. The police may well have identified themselves, we don't know as it hasn't been reported. It's also a risk when criminals open fire, as they don't give a toss if there is collateral damage.

So the police were hauled in to admit their involvement. Of course they were involved but it doesn't mean that one of them actually shot the young victim. Maybe one of the criminals did, no one knows until the incident has been investigated and forensics carried out on the bullets and guns of the police.

Pretty poor of the senior police to parade the younger officers without knowing who was actually responsible. Even if it was a Police Officer there is nothing to be gained in splashing their photos in all the newspapers. Oh I forgot, the big boys always enjoy their 5 minutes of fame while the minnows suffer.

Given what we have been told it appears to be an unfortunate accident and one feels for the victim but for the life of me I cannot understand why many on here jump in where angels fear to tread and offer their expert opinions without knowing the full facts. One has the right to criticise but only when they are fully aware of all the circumstances and all tests have been carried out.

One of the BIB has admitted his shot was most likely one that hit the girl.

The reason I doubted the BIB version in the first place, and still do, is it is trite and self serving.

[Basil B]

In a country where police officers have to buy their own guns I wonder what training they have? and any testing of officers suitability to handle a gun???

[Si Thea01]

"He said that the drug traffickers opened fire first after seeing the plainclothes policemen prompting the latter to return fire"

They saw a plainclothes policeman?

Hmm, so how did they do that then?

With their eyes, how else?

Obviously you know nothing about policing. Many criminals are familiar with undercover (plain clothes police)owing to having previous dealings with them or they have been pointed out by other criminals who might know them. Police also become known because they operate in certain areas and the criminals get to know them quite quickly. Not all criminals are dumb.

The media report is poor and something may have been lost in the translation. The police may well have identified themselves, we don't know as it hasn't been reported. It's also a risk when criminals open fire, as they don't give a toss if there is collateral damage.

So the police were hauled in to admit their involvement. Of course they were involved but it doesn't mean that one of them actually shot the young victim. Maybe one of the criminals did, no one knows until the incident has been investigated and forensics carried out on the bullets and guns of the police.

Pretty poor of the senior police to parade the younger officers without knowing who was actually responsible. Even if it was a Police Officer there is nothing to be gained in splashing their photos in all the newspapers. Oh I forgot, the big boys always enjoy their 5 minutes of fame while the minnows suffer.

Given what we have been told it appears to be an unfortunate accident and one feels for the victim but for the life of me I cannot understand why many on here jump in where angels fear to tread and offer their expert opinions without knowing the full facts. One has the right to criticise but only when they are fully aware of all the circumstances and all tests have been carried out.

One of the BIB has admitted his shot was most likely one that hit the girl.

The reason I doubted the BIB version in the first place, and still do, is it is trite and self serving.

It appears you have read something that I haven't. I won't ask the usual question, I'll have a look myself. If this is the case, then the officer would have a reasonable idea if he was responsible or not. Even so, I still stick by what I have written until there are further findings, providing those in charge are not as you say, trite and self serving.

There has been many incidents such as this, world wide, and most have been, after investigations, listed as accidental. I just hope that the investigation has set guidelines and those in charge do not try to smother anything, and once completed, implement proper safeguards in attempts to lessen the opportunities of this happening in the future. If they do not, then they will only give rise to people being justifiably critical of them. For the sake of law and order I hope there is someone who has the intelligence and skills to undertake such a task.