Commissioner's help to booze firm not a problem, say police

[webfact]

Commissioner's help to booze firm not a problem, say police

 

Picture: Thai News Agency

 

BANGKOK: -- The national police office has played down concerns that there is a conflict of interest after it was revealed that the metropolitan commissioner is an advisor with a firm that produces alcohol.

 

Earlier in the week it emerged that Sanit Mahathavorn is paid 50,000 baht a month as an advisor with Thai Beverage Company Limited.

 

Speaking at police HQ yesterday Piyaphan Pingmeuang said that Sanit had done nothing wrong and his involvement with the firm had been reported as per regulations, reports Thai News Agency.

 

Piyaphan said that civil servants were permitted to act as advisors in private companies as mentioned under Article 78 sub section 17.

 

Executive roles would be prohibited but advisory capacities were not, he said.

 

Piyaphan also played down comments that there was a conflict of interest in a policeman being involved with a firm producing alcohol. He called it a minor matter and said that the benefits of Sanit's involvement would outweigh any other concerns.

 

Source: Thai News Agency

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2016-12-15

[Brer Fox]

That's a load off and a relief to know he is as pure as the driven slush. If Sanit Mahathavorn's advisory work to the booze company is so worthwhile he should try to eliminate the suggestion that he is corruptable by volunteering his services free of charge. That then should make everyone (except himself) happy.

[waldroj]

Like the army's "internal" investigation into alleged corruption at Rajabhakti Park, this assessment (by RTP) is sure to instil complete public confidence in the independence and integrity of current senior Thai bureaucrats! 

 

[sendintheclowns]

I can see from the HUUUUGGGEEE size of the note taking materials that written records of this PR pronouncement will get filed in the square filing cabinet, under the PR table. That way, if the issue is ever raised again, due to some discovered shenanigans, there will be no record of anybody saying anything. The videocams, of course, will be sent in today for 'servicing'.

[Cuchulainn]

There's no surprise there then. Let the clowns, extortionists and racketeers carry on in their own bumbling, inept way. There is little to no respect for them anyway. 

[Misterwhisper]

"He called it a minor matter and said that the benefits of Sanit's involvement would outweigh any other concerns."

 

Shouldn't that rather read:

"He called it a minor matter and said that the benefits of for Sanit's involvement wallet would outweigh any other concerns."

[digibum]

Hard to determine who to dislike in this story, people who think that they should regulate what other people do, or cops who get paid to ignore those people.  

 

 

[scorecard]

 

 

How can this be OK.

 

Seems to me this has some similarity to the Samak case.

 

Just one point - Surely the good people of Thailand have a right to expect senior cops (and others) are spending their time and their thinking and analysi and energies totally on rtp matters and therefore protecting and servicing the police duties, paid for by the public through taxes.

 

Part-time pm, senior cops, ministers and senior beaurocrats not OK!

 

From a different angle the cop involved seemed to be a very devoted and focused cop, perhaps even representing a new model of professionalism. 

Edited December 15, 2016 by scorecard

[DM07]

Surpriiiiiiiise!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[tomacht8]

An advisor?
In which field he advises then, what is worth 600,000 baht a year?
What is he doing for that money?
How many hours he must spend on the consultation?
How is it compatible with his deployment plans and hours in the police service?

If he is so good in his consulting work, why he does not finish the police service and look for more consulting clients.
With the low (official) salaries for police officers, the complete change to the advisory field would be financially much more attractive.
 

[yellowboat]

"Piyaphan said that civil servants were permitted to act as advisors in private companies as mentioned under Article 78 sub section 17. "

 

Looks as though they made a conflict of interest in Thailand legal.  So much for reform.  If he were painting billboards for them in his spare time, it could be considered nothing related to his day job.  Without having all the details, this sounds like he is using his position as a public servant as a way to cash in.  Legal or not it appears dubious.  So can an average officer be a "security consultant" ?  This creates quite a bit of uncertainty as to what good conduct should be for police officers.

[klauskunkel]

Quote

Commissioner's help to booze firm not a problem, say police

"Booze firm's help to Commissioner not a problem"

That gives a more accurate picture, I think

[longtom]

1 hour ago, Misterwhisper said:

"He called it a minor matter and said that the benefits of Sanit's involvement would outweigh any other concerns."

 

Shouldn't that rather read:

"He called it a minor matter and said that the benefits of for Sanit's involvement wallet would outweigh any other concerns."

 

It would be nice if they mentioned any of these benifits (other than the obvious one you mentioned). Scratching my head but cannot come up with anything that wouldn't fall under the 'concerns' category. Must be my lack of creativity concerning such matters.

 

 

[Khun Paul]

We ( the public ) did not really expect any other scenario, therefore it is OK for all Officers to receive money for advice. LEGALISED BRIBERY, WELL DONE RTP.

[TheFishman1]

Cops in Thailand. Just a business,there doing good TIT

[smutcakes]

The reason it is no problem as they are all doing it, police and military. I think the old Chief of Police Somyos was on the BOD of Akara Mining.

[Classic Ray]

Just to reinforce what has already been said, does he give this advice in his own time, or during hours he is paid to be a police officer? If the latter, he should be returning his salary for this period.

 

Secondly, if allegations of a crime were made against any Thaibev executive, is anybidy seriously thinking that the first call he made wouldn't be to his paid Thai police advisor? No possible conflict of interest there!

[elgordo38]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

He called it a minor matter and said that the benefits of Sanit's involvement would outweigh any other concerns.

Horse puckey. His involvement and of course PAYMENT would outweigh any other concerns so lets flesh out his "involvement"

[elgordo38]

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

 focused cop, perhaps even representing a new model of professionalism. 

Not in our lifetime. What does 50,000 bahts a month buy ThaiBev anyways. Event security??

[scorecard]

13 minutes ago, elgordo38 said:

Horse puckey. His involvement and of course PAYMENT would outweigh any other concerns so lets flesh out his "involvement"

 

 

And get a clear understanding of what 'benefits' means and 'benefits to who'?

[fruitman]

10 minutes ago, elgordo38 said:

Not in our lifetime. What does 50,000 bahts a month buy ThaiBev anyways. Event security??

 

Roadsecurity at night if you don't sell their drinks maybe?

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, yellowboat said:

"Piyaphan said that civil servants were permitted to act as advisors in private companies as mentioned under Article 78 sub section 17. "

 

 

But does that mean paid or unpaid adviser?

[Gandtee]

Is conflict of interest understood here, or just ignored?

[sukk456]

That's off-load and relief to know that he is an innocent man was cloned by the work of the consultants are Mahathavorn is booze will cost, so they should try to eliminate the suggestion that he is corruptable. by volunteering his services free of charge. It will make everyone (Except yourself) happy.

[tomacht8]

10 minutes ago, elgordo38 said:

Not in our lifetime. What does 50,000 bahts a month buy ThaiBev anyways. Event security??

Event security?
This requires a lot of staff.
I do not think he can use state-hired police officers for this.
That would correspond to the abuse of public resources.
In these small 3 sqm shacks at the factory entrance  barrier, he will not sit neither.

May he do investment advice in money questions for the top management.
Thailand have some very talented policemen, who have won hundreds of millions on the stock market.

[Grubster]

If you don't like lump it, or just pay him to overlook your sins too.

[elgordo38]

Has he made a commercial for the company? ThaiBev makes me feel GREAAAAAAT!!!

[NongKhaiKid]

What a disappointment, I fully expected a statement that this was morally and ethically wrong, that he would immediate give up this advisory role and would be sanctioned by the junta !

 Just who am I kidding ? 

[starky]

Face saved all round then. Good result as usual, nothing to see here then. Grouse.