A great new way to pay fines - just transfer the money to the cop's private account

[Siamwhiteelephant]

"I am very sorry about all the trouble this has caused (me)," he added.

[Songlaw]

"Reporters tracked down the officer in question who was not named. He said: "The woman I ticketed said she had to rush to work and said please could I help her as she had no cash on her. She asked to transfer the money to me. I said it could cause problems later but she begged me to help her out so I decided to let her pay me to my private account."

Worst excuse ever.

If not the worst, it is pretty damn close, BP.

[smotherb]

I was quaffing Regency and soda with a couple of my local cops and the subject of corruption and payola came up. At first there was a denial, then an admittance that some do, then an argument of rationale. It seems, in their opinion, the police are subjected to dangerous and difficult work and receive little pay for it; consequently, it is a cultural norm to accept a facilitation fee from good normal citizens who violate the laws and only arrest the bad guys. Of course, no mention was made of police staging the violations or arresting innocent parties.

I suggested they were going about it in the wrong way and that what they were doing could be construed as corruption and bribery, no matter the cultural acceptance. I asked, wouldn't it be better to earn additional money and really help the people? That drew a complete blank stare.

We were sitting in an outside bar on a corner with a stop sign. I asked them to watch how many motorists did not even bother to slow down, let alone stop at the sign. The answer was immediately apparent, no one stopped. I pointed to scooters and cars going the wrong way down the street, cars that couldn't stay within the lines, motor bikes which could not stop behind the lines, etc. I asked them why they didn't stop these offenders and exact money for their offenses. A discussion, and many more Regencies, followed. The gist was that those infractions were culturally acceptable too, and there would be more problems associated with asking them to pay for those things. I asked., what problems, aren't those laws on the books? They agreed they were, but said not a problem. I argued the benefit to society by reducing the numbers of traffic violations and potential accidents. They laughed at the silly thought. At the same time two cops on a scooter ran through the stop sign; which sort of confirmed their point.

My grandpappy said it; "You just can't argue with a duck, for they surely will not understand."

[Thaddeus]

Why do the words serious reform pop up?

Those words have been on display using 40 meter high neon lights for decades.... dancing clowns and a backing track of trumpets and boiiing noises.

That's why nothing ever happens, it isn't taken seriously.

Developing nation my backside.

[Tonawatchee]

We know the Boys in Brown have our best interests in their hearts. But they go above and beyond by adding 'convenience' to the Thai experience.

Edited June 9, 2016 by Tonawatchee

[renaissanc]

I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding. There is no corruption in the Thai Police. The matter will soon be sorted out and all the dust will be brushed under the carpet soon.

[KIWIBATCH]

..."Trust me...I am Thai"...said the officer to a reporter when asked if he intended withdrawing the money from his account and presenting it to his station office.

[elgordo38]

Quote

"I am very sorry about all the trouble this has caused," he added. unquote. A true Hollywood star in the making.

[Maggusoil]

What is the process for passing this information on to the corruption busters in the Army?

Whatever story you believe here, it is quite clear, isn't it?

Clean up Thailand? Clean up the police andn judiciary first.

No - pay them a decent salary 1st THEN you might clear up the coruption

So do you think the judiciary are not paid enough?

For the police does a higher salary beget better training? More severe punishments for violations of the code of ethics? The list goes on a bit.

Corruption is endemic within the Thai system. Everyone expects it. If the police have to live this way and people expect it, is there

anything wrong with it?

Perhaps for the people that cannot afford to pay and when, it produces the protection of violent crime, such as the Red Bull heir's 'accident' and

so on and so on.

"Instant" fine payment to the police has been going on in most countries for eons. Like this case, it is frequently convenient for the regulations breakers, 'us', the general public to get rid of the fines as quickly and as cheaply as one can and get on with the day's work.

It is going to be less than the court system imposes? In many countries it could mean avoiding a points system imposition. It could even save the

licence for a professional driver who is dependent on his or her ability to drive for a living.

I feel an essay coming on . . . . not time for that.

As most apologists do, you're ignoring the key problem. ....Which IS that when police can expect payment on the spot, and the public actually "accepts" and tacitly supports the practice, there's little to stop them from extorting these payments from motorists who've done absolutely nothing wrong. Everyone knows that the amount of the fine multiples exponentially when the motorist declines to pay on-the-spot and wants to escalate the matter, amounting to coercion to cash up the cop. I've actually seen some arguing here on TV that even this abuse by police is acceptable because it's "preferable" to the western bureaucratic practices you mention and the cops "need the money". Another part of the problem is that it's a corruption mentality with tentacles that extend well beyond mere traffic citations. Last but not least, what do you define as "honest" law enforcement vs less-than-honest when cops are free to conduct themselves this way? Where exactly is that line that must not be crossed by a law enforcement agency which is supposed to have (some would say must have) the public trust? Well, wherever it is - and it'd be a fool's errand to go looking for it now - it was crossed long ago...

Exactly in so many words. I am not apologising, just demonstrating and asking the same question.

Where is the line? It moves and I can't see it stop movinig in this country for a long time.

It is absolutely beholden on the law and regulation makers to have fail safe enforcement.

Corruption in the government is inexcusable, particularly as these personnel are granted access to an area of public

trust.

Without that trust, anarchy is waiting to feed on the remains.

Unfortunately in Thailand and many other countries in the area, we simply do not have the legal means to challenge

this sort of corruption. Ridiculously, countries that do have the means, frequently ignore it, as most people actually don't seem

to care enough.

[mesterm]

Simple question, did he then withdraw the money and pay it into the system ?

No indication of that or maybe he hadn't quite ' got around ' to it.

Maybe he had to rush to work and had no cash on him too?

[chilli42]

"Reporters tracked down the officer in question who was not named. He said: "The woman I ticketed said she had to rush to work and said please could I help her as she had no cash on her. She asked to transfer the money to me. I said it could cause problems later but she begged me to help her out so I decided to let her pay me to my private account."

Worst excuse ever.

It reeks of unexpected creativity and stupidity.

[GeckosDiving]

All the police should only be able to issue Official tickets that's it !!!! Then the person who receives the ticket should be able to go to any 7'11 and pay for it there !! Very easy no money changing hands to the BENT BIB !! Money go's straight to the government office bank account. But this will never lets face it the higher up BIB wouldn't get their cut either so NO WAY IN HELL IS THAT GOING TO HAPPEN. It would take 150 - 200 years to get rid of corruption here and that's if you started today !! In Thailand Corruption is like Prostitution it's here to stay.

[Mook23]

Him solly. Him only help. Him victim! Tvf falang no undestand suhpreme Thai customs.

[timendres]

I got my wheel clamped in Chiang Mai a while back. I saw the officer, told him my excuse of parking there (there was a blind man a bit further up the road and it seemed he wanted to cross the road - heavy traffic - so I parked the car and approached the blind man to see if I can assist).

The officer apologized and said that since the ticket was already issued he can't cancel it and I'd have to go to the station to pay the fine. I offered to pay the fine there and then to save me the trip to the station and he refused. I had to take a songtaew to the station - about 20 minutes drive.

Now you (all) tell me - wouldn't you have preferred to be able to pay on the spot instead of wasting about an hour of your time to go to the station and "do the right thing"???

I agree 100% IF one could be certain that the payment was made into the system. For instance, in the case of this post, if the money transfer went into a legitimate government account, with a reference to the ticket number, that would be awesome.

[bainai144]

Do pepole not carry cash anymore

[Redline]

There is no excuse because it's illegal! But, nothing will happen~just a short holiday to get wasted and have some fun with the giks

[oldlakey]

Well I dont know what all the fuss is about personally

I did this all the time in the UK

It was called a standing order if memory serves for the mortgage, car or gas bill etc etc

You have to look at it this way at least he has saved on paper work plus cut the middle man out

[oldlakey]

I was quaffing Regency and soda with a couple of my local cops and the subject of corruption and payola came up. At first there was a denial, then an admittance that some do, then an argument of rationale. It seems, in their opinion, the police are subjected to dangerous and difficult work and receive little pay for it; consequently, it is a cultural norm to accept a facilitation fee from good normal citizens who violate the laws and only arrest the bad guys. Of course, no mention was made of police staging the violations or arresting innocent parties.

I suggested they were going about it in the wrong way and that what they were doing could be construed as corruption and bribery, no matter the cultural acceptance. I asked, wouldn't it be better to earn additional money and really help the people? That drew a complete blank stare.

We were sitting in an outside bar on a corner with a stop sign. I asked them to watch how many motorists did not even bother to slow down, let alone stop at the sign. The answer was immediately apparent, no one stopped. I pointed to scooters and cars going the wrong way down the street, cars that couldn't stay within the lines, motor bikes which could not stop behind the lines, etc. I asked them why they didn't stop these offenders and exact money for their offenses. A discussion, and many more Regencies, followed. The gist was that those infractions were culturally acceptable too, and there would be more problems associated with asking them to pay for those things. I asked., what problems, aren't those laws on the books? They agreed they were, but said not a problem. I argued the benefit to society by reducing the numbers of traffic violations and potential accidents. They laughed at the silly thought. At the same time two cops on a scooter ran through the stop sign; which sort of confirmed their point.

My grandpappy said it; "You just can't argue with a duck, for they surely will not understand."

These two police officers did they by any chance have their side arms with them

[Ulic]

Like everything else, tickets should be payable at the 7-11.

[ozyjon]

Is he of Nigerian decent ?

[Pattaya28]

Cannot make this stuff up !!

[hoffy66]

I got my wheel clamped in Chiang Mai a while back. I saw the officer, told him my excuse of parking there (there was a blind man a bit further up the road and it seemed he wanted to cross the road - heavy traffic - so I parked the car and approached the blind man to see if I can assist).

The officer apologized and said that since the ticket was already issued he can't cancel it and I'd have to go to the station to pay the fine. I offered to pay the fine there and then to save me the trip to the station and he refused. I had to take a songtaew to the station - about 20 minutes drive.

Now you (all) tell me - wouldn't you have preferred to be able to pay on the spot instead of wasting about an hour of your time to go to the station and "do the right thing"???

I really feel sooo sorry for you?? to have to take 1 hour out of your busy day to pay a fine, it must be terrible to have to rush around so much, i just wonder what you would do if you were stuck in traffic? or were inconvenienced in some other way,

[allan michaud]

"Reporters tracked down the officer in question who was not named. He said: "The woman I ticketed said she had to rush to work and said please could I help her as she had no cash on her. She asked to transfer the money to me. I said it could cause problems later but she begged me to help her out so I decided to let her pay me to my private account."

Worst excuse ever.

Still plenty good enough to keep his job me thinks. These guys are teflon coated.

[smotherb]

I was quaffing Regency and soda with a couple of my local cops and the subject of corruption and payola came up. At first there was a denial, then an admittance that some do, then an argument of rationale. It seems, in their opinion, the police are subjected to dangerous and difficult work and receive little pay for it; consequently, it is a cultural norm to accept a facilitation fee from good normal citizens who violate the laws and only arrest the bad guys. Of course, no mention was made of police staging the violations or arresting innocent parties.

I suggested they were going about it in the wrong way and that what they were doing could be construed as corruption and bribery, no matter the cultural acceptance. I asked, wouldn't it be better to earn additional money and really help the people? That drew a complete blank stare.

We were sitting in an outside bar on a corner with a stop sign. I asked them to watch how many motorists did not even bother to slow down, let alone stop at the sign. The answer was immediately apparent, no one stopped. I pointed to scooters and cars going the wrong way down the street, cars that couldn't stay within the lines, motor bikes which could not stop behind the lines, etc. I asked them why they didn't stop these offenders and exact money for their offenses. A discussion, and many more Regencies, followed. The gist was that those infractions were culturally acceptable too, and there would be more problems associated with asking them to pay for those things. I asked., what problems, aren't those laws on the books? They agreed they were, but said not a problem. I argued the benefit to society by reducing the numbers of traffic violations and potential accidents. They laughed at the silly thought. At the same time two cops on a scooter ran through the stop sign; which sort of confirmed their point.

My grandpappy said it; "You just can't argue with a duck, for they surely will not understand."

These two police officers did they by any chance have their side arms with them

Yes, but they took off their uniform shirts and pulled their black t-shirts down over the weapons.

[hawker9000]

Do pepole not carry cash anymore

Governments do NOT want their public using cash anymore. Cash transactions leave no paper or electronic trails, and that's not good. Without those, governments can't hope to impose and enforce their increasingly socialistic/leftist, autocratic, intrusive, privacy-ignoring, nanny-state policies and programs. What's the first thing LE checks in almost any criminal investigation? Right, the suspect's credit card transactions. In the states, many jurisdictions dole out welfare benefits now in the form of "cash cards" instead of checks. The card's meant to be as good as cash for the user for legitimate purchases, but its use leaves a nice electronic trail (...which I actually have no specific problem with if it helps fight welfare fraud, which is rampant; but I doubt much tracking actually ever gets done, esp. in blue states).

Edited June 18, 2016 by hawker9000

[geriatrickid]

I am not concerned. Thai leader says he will stop corruption.