Chiang Mai Police Remove Safe Driving Signs After Criticism About its Photo

[webfact]

Police Remove Safe Driving Signs After Criticism About its Photo
by CityNews


Photo: Shared on Chiang Mai Traffic Police’s Facebook Page.

CityNews – According to the Bangkok Post, Chiang Mai police have removed all signboards promoting safe driving that displayed a senior officer with two subservient women after complaints were made that the photo was not relevant to the safe driving message.

The image that received the complaints was headed with the words “No Drowsy Driving” in Thai, with a picture of Police Region 5 Commissioner Tanitsak Teerasawat in uniform, with two women in Thai costumes sat around him acting out the traditional Songkran blessing of washing the hands of seniors.

Complaints ranged from the image being irrelevant to safe driving messages and derogatory to women, who were depicted swooning over the police commissioner who is also patting one of women on the head. Some also saw it as pure self promotion of Police Commissioner Tanitsak.

Full story: http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/news/police-remove-safe-driving-signs-criticism-photo/


-- Chiang City News 2016-04-11

[clockman]

Thainess, what do you expect?

[Rob8891]

And I thought it was thunder last night. Turned out it was just the police shooting themselves in the foot.

[scorecard]

Any picture used should be depicting something about safe driving, not personally glorifying a police officer.

[Lampang2]

Just insane.

As usual.

[Sparkles]

Instead of putting up stupid, irrelevant posters why don't the police get on the road and show some visible prescence

or will they just sit by the side of the road as usual. The death and injury toll over Songkran is appalling,

[webfact]

‘Sexist’ Songkran Safety Posters Removed by Police
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


A controversial poster being taken away by a police officer on Sunday in Chiang Mai city

CHIANG MAI — Posters campaigning for safe driving during the Songkran holidays issued by Chiang Mai police were taken away on Sunday after receiving criticism for being sexist.

Posters put up around Chiang Mai city since Friday to promote road safety during Songkran were removed after they were criticized by netizens and gender activists.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1460356456


-- Khaosod English 2016-04-11

[NongKhaiKid]

Another story in the ' Hard To Believe ' category.

As if someone in authority would indulge in cheap self-promotion !

It's just not a core value is it ?

Edited April 11, 2016 by NongKhaiKid

[terryp]

he was surrounded by his mia nois..nothing at all sexist or derogatory

[Rayk]

They should make him personally pay for the wasting of tax payer money on his hi-so self promoting signage.

[Anyse]

I am perplexes. Isn't patting someone on the head a very bad thing as it interrupts the spiritual flow of a person between the heavens and the person? Can't show the bottoms of you feet to people or your shoe or, even worse, beat someone on the head with your shoe. Just the patting on the head of one woman was derogatory in Thai standards!

[robblok]

Thainess, what do you expect?

Strange then if its Thainess.. that those same Thais complain about it and make sure the signs get taken down.

Sounds more like a stupid act someone that the majority does not agree with.

But bashers will be bashers.

[mesterm]

ting tong thai

[bluebluewater]

And good chance they were installed on a corner where they blocked any ability to see up and down the roadway and actually made safe driving worse.

Yes indeed - a second look at the photo shows just that!

Edited April 11, 2016 by bluebluewater

[thailand49]

That is why year after year nothing improves.. the leaders do not get it what is the problem. But they need not worry it isn't their money it is the W.H.O. who gives Millions and in return they get posters. Next week again they will put up the Police Check point Tents and no one around to do the checking?

[torpedo1970]

Another one in the - You can't make this shit up! category.............

[ThailandLOS]

Why am I even surprised? True, you can't make this shit up. Bad judgement grows on trees here.

[docshock13]

But here is the best part:

"The provincial police threatened those who have criticized the signboards.

[We] intended to campaign to reduce road accidents and preserve revered Thai culture respecting seniority. However, the signs have been posted and shared online which caused a lot of misunderstanding towards our objective, the post reads. [Were] asking those to stop doing such behavior because some comments were found distorting our intention and violating the Computer Crime Act and Criminal Code."

[Classic Ray]

Now what can we do to improve road safety?

1. Get police patrolling the roads and catching speeders, drunk drivers and unlicensed/helmet less motorcyclists. Nah, too expensive and how many police will be sober enough to drive anyway. Just put up some tents so that all the offenders know where to avoid.

2. Put decent diversions and traffic management in place around Songkran celebrating areas so everyone can enjoy in safety and others can travel freely. Nah, just give up and sit in your tents all day and night!

[kiwikeith]

I wonder who printed and designed the sign, how much it cost ect.

Just a simple sign with Speed Kills, or The faster you go the Bigger the Mess, Or pull over and take a rest dont be a Staistic.

Very simple they could and should have many signs all over Thailand.

[matimati]

When I saw the signpost on fb I thought it was an effort to make people aware of the real purpose of Songkran, showing respect to elders. I did notice the hand on the head and thought it was probably to show approval of the milder way of applying the Songkran idea.

[connda]

And who said that Thailand isn't becoming 'Politically Correct' lmao.

[connda]

Instead of putting up stupid, irrelevant posters why don't the police get on the road and show some visible prescence

or will they just sit by the side of the road as usual. The death and injury toll over Songkran is appalling,

Epic! Well said.

[Junkyarddog]

You can't fix stupid.

[Junkyarddog]

You can't fix stupid.

[chickenslegs]

Another poster features the same police chief with three woman police officers kneeling beside him.

Perks of the job .

[Ulic]

Just wondering who was the advertising/marketing genius who came up with this campaign. Brilliant......NOT.

[Scouse Twoccer]

They should make him personally pay for the wasting of tax payer money on his hi-so self promoting signage.

Why? It's pretty clear that the chicken essence company more than likely footed the bill.

[Scouse Twoccer]

You can't fix stupid.

You've pretty much confirmed that.

[stephenterry]

Police Region 5 Commissioner Tanitsak Teerasawat ought to be sent to AA. What a Richard-head. He is depicted as self important, egoistical, sexist, who completely misses the purpose of road safety posters. With police like him in top jobs, no wonder the RTP have a bad reputation country-wide.