Farang Policeman

[saint]

there is a differance between hatred and lack of respect , whether for the farang tourist police or the police. if the riots yesturday are anything to go by , how can the police command any respect whatsoever. they turned up with full riot gear, neatly laid it all on the grass , stood back and watched the violance without any intervention at all. i just wish they were that apathetic at the money stops.

[fatbas***d]

Right Saint,
I am not from the Uk nor have had any contact or problems with the police in 40 yrs of living in my own country but here had constant harassment for protection money from the thieving thugs when I was running a business.
In the end the business closed because of Police extortion, theft and threats of violence towards my wife young daughters.
I am sure in Thailand there are a few good cops but not having met one I am not too sure they exist. So begs the question how can anyone with a conscience work as a lackey for this organized crime syndicate ?
The police in my own country deserve the highest respect, here they deserve nothing but contempt, they are a gutless bunch of thugs preying on the weak and vulnerable.
Have you ever seen someone in a Mercedes pulled over?

[beer monkey]

Right Saint,
I am not from the Uk nor have had any contact or problems with the police in 40 yrs of living in my own country but here had constant harassment for protection money from the thieving thugs when I was running a business.
In the end the business closed because of Police extortion, theft and threats of violence towards my wife young daughters.

Shame this stuff does happen...los and all that..!!
I lost the link to your business fatb(or i think it was your place), was the place that had a connection with Japanese machines..???. (looked like a good set up going by the web-site)


(apologies if i am barking up the wrong coconut palm. )

[Guns482]

Yes it is percieved that the police here are somewhat lacking in morality, however we shold note this is Thailand and we cannot judge by our standards.
many police in Asian countries are similar in their attitudes. One of the problems here is that police are politcal whereas in many european countries the police uphold the law and do not on the whole enter the political fray, while they are serving officers.
people knock the police in all countries, however some of the comments expressed here by some are unacceptable, in general police try to do a job that most people do not want to do, they are seen as the face of government and the most visible part of it as well. They enforce laws, that governments write and we all knock them.if not the police then who will do the job. No laws breeds anarchy, wars and more conflict.
Do not forget you have to right to say whatever you like because there are laws, that protect you and everyone else. You might not like the way the laws are enforced or even the people doing the enforcing but this is better than no laws at all. I believe.

[Aardvark]

I had to take my wife to the Emergency section of a major hospital on Thursday night and while we were there the Police turned up with a Prisoner, This guy had half his face missing from a brawl and was well and truly drunk. All of a sudden he started throwing up so the cop had to drag him outside and stay with him while he through up and crapped himself (litterally) before taking him back inside where the poor nurses had to clean him up. Two jobs you can keep as far as I'm concerned, having to deal with the scum of society, yuk.

[fatbas***d]

I don't think any one is advocating anarchy Guns, certainly not me, but thats almost what it amounts to in the security forces here. Unless you have run a sizable business here you wouldn't realise the real of gross corruption that confronts business owners on an ongoing basis.

"Yes it is percieved that the police here are somewhat lacking in morality, however we shold note this is Thailand and we cannot judge by our standards"

The above quote from your post is a gross understatement, Somewhat lacking in Morality They are in the main, seriously bent coppers, unacceptable in any decent society, as for being the norm around here, not so, Singapore has a Police force to be proud of.

The other day I was in Khon Kean, I made the mistake of getting in the back of a pickup where the driver was obviously under the influence, he got stopped by the Police and told to get out the pickup, he was obviously staggering drunk and fined on the spot 800 Bt. Well and good so far, but then he was free to drive home, I walked by the way, I wasn't taking the chance but the Police were quite happy to send a drunken driver back out on the road as long as they had extracted their money.
Tell me that isn't moral bankruptcy.

[Guns482]

Oh I agree that is gross mis-conduct, however something is better than nothing, although some maybe corrupt, most i know are not by the way, but in all organisations there are bad apples, some are even rotten, they will get their just deserts one day.
You just smile and say ok today you win, but another day could be a different matter.
Just maybe I am putting a polish onto what is in effect a bad system of law enforcement, and the corruption is from the top of government down, but for all its faults i would rather be here. I have made it my business to ensure I know the movers and shakers and some of my friends are influential. I have freely discussed this and othr issues with them and the majority agree that the system needs changing, and it is slowly, Thai speed not Farang speed, unfortunately, however 10years ago this site might not have been able to run at all. So that is something that has changed.
Just a final point, we moan we complain we object, if it is so bad, why stay, and do not forget this site IS read by Thai's as well as farangs so although freedom of speech is ok, Ps and Q's should be watched and any critisim should be of a general nature. Allegationsof corruption and wrong-doing in Thailand can be dangerous and the result can be unwanted intrusion into ones private life. So although we all know the police are not good, havcing them as an enemy is not a healthy option, for farangs who decide to stay in Thailand.

[Paul]

It ain't all bad and at least the guy was stopped and fined. Thanks to the police (in some sort of strange way) they might have just saved your life the other day !

[BKKSTAN]

Yes it is percieved that the police here are somewhat lacking in morality, however we shold note this is Thailand and we cannot judge by our standards.many police in Asian countries are similar in their attitudes. One of the problems here is that police are politcal whereas in many european countries the police uphold the law and do not on the whole enter the political fray, while they are serving officers.
people knock the police in all countries, however some of the comments expressed here by some are unacceptable, in general police try to do a job that most people do not want to do, they are seen as the face of government and the most visible part of it as well. They enforce laws, that governments write and we all knock them.if not the police then who will do the job. No laws breeds anarchy, wars and more conflict.
Do not forget you have to right to say whatever you like because there are laws, that protect you and everyone else. You might not like the way the laws are enforced or even the people doing the enforcing but this is better than no laws at all. I believe.

Guns when I read this,I could hardly believe that you are experienced in Thailand!

Police ,everywhere,including Thailand have a mandate to ''protect and serve''the public!To say we have no right to judge the Thai police is wrong .We have a right to expect the police to do their job anywhere!

Of course most of us have no ability or power to insist or demand,but we damn sure have a right to judge their performance!

The police here don't do the job nobody else wants!I can't figure out what you are talking about with that comment!

They enforce some laws and totally disregard others if it has no personal benefit to them financially or as a favor for powerful citizens!They only protect the thai upper class,the rest they try to collect a fee from and then don't really provide anything but a pass through the neighborhood to sign a sheet or collect the money!

I can't believe that you are inferring that their is freedom of speech in Thailand!!

But the thread is about falang volunteer police and I agree that many people knock them unreasonably!They are doing a job that not many would do! =D>

[MiTeddy]

Hi all,

look at this: http://www.chiangmainews.com/indepth/de ... hp?id=1341


MiTeddy

[westerby]

Hi all, look at this:

Good report.

Do they need uniforms? No. They'll end up being ridiculed as a bunch of do gooders with a penchant for dressing up.

What are their terms of reference? In my view, they should make themselves available to the Tourist police in the event of a Farang incident. Their function is to assist - nothing more.

This has the potential to work or fall by the wayside. What they're doing in CM won't work.

[Paul]

There goes the voice of experience - obviously !

Didn't you used to 'dress up' when you were in the RAF ? or were you just called upon in the event of an incident ?

[Guns482]

Now I am not saying that I neccessarily agree with the way Thailand is policed neither do i agree that freedom of speech is 100% here, however i willtake issue with the fact that Police in general are employed to do the job other people don't do.
For example police originated from nightwatchmen and the Huie and cry system which was in pkace about 200 years ago. it has evolved from that many laws have evolved from Common law etc:
So polic3e are employed to do a job while you are asleep or being elsewhere rather than taking care of your properrty and family 24/7.
Yes they are not perfect, but something is better than nothing wouldn't you agree. Knowledge of their faults makes us stronger, better the enemy you know rather than one you do not know I say.

[BKKSTAN]

There is a positive to lots of uniforms around,it lessens the incidents and shows ''presence''to those that would be unruly w/o it!

Whatever reason the ''falang volunteers ''use for being there,I believe falangs benefit by their presence!

As far as the Thai police are concerned.no further comment!

[Paul]

Its like crappy postings on this forum - you can just ignore that which doesn't interest you. Its still there but you dont have to look at it.

The Tourist police volunteers will still be there - and I am sure if ever you got into trouble - a drunken fight or a road accident , and they were around (with their full time counterparts) you might just be thankful one day.

[westerby]

There goes the voice of experience - obviously !

Didn't you used to 'dress up' when you were in the RAF ? or were you just called upon in the event of an incident ?

I don't know, it depends what sort of function you want them to do.

Do they patrol with the BiB and Tourist Police or are they on call to assist when someone is arrested?

It strikes me that they'll get laughed at if they wear uniform.

The RAF is an Armed Service therefore uniform forms a part of discipline and esprit de corps. These volunteers hold no warrants and can't arrest people or keep the peace. They serve in an advisory capacity to the chap in the brown suit, which goes back to their function so there's no requirement to dress up. So why not give them some form of warrant badge that identifies them?

Having said all that, I still think you need them to address all the misinterpretations that can occur in certain situations. In my view, there is a requirement for them.

[beer monkey]

Well you wouldn't expect them with 2 days beard growth and wearing a Singha beer vest and stained shorts (ermmm i mean Trousers) and sandels, they need to be smart with some sort of uniform, not the all singing and dancing get up with the bolt on's, but a plain and simple uniform so they can be noticable, smart polo tops(could be hi-viz) with logo's and matching smart shorts...makes sense.

[westerby]

No, some would insist on wearing lanyards and fancy badges, not to mention red piping down the trousers. Before you know it, they'd be asking for handcuffs and mace.

[fun44]

Tourist police volunteers bigwaveydave.

You mean the Thai Cop had a Pet Falang with him. What a joke!

you will need the help one day maybe from the thai cops pet..rember that.? & becarefull the pet falang might bite you.????

[fun44]

[-one day you might need help (i hope not) but every body sometimes needs help.? then you will be greatfull we are here.? you should try one day giveing something back helping people you might find its good.? =D> but if any body like bigwavedave or aussie ect wants to punch kick the tourist police vounteer you are welcome all you need to do is come to the mauy thai boxing school in udon sports ground (just down from harrys bar) ime there from 17.30 till 19.00 monday=friday..but like all big mouths bullies i will not hold my breath any body will turn up.?? =D>