View Full Version : FairCop?:Traffick Cop dies
Yappofloyd
12-05-05, 11:35 PM
One has to feel sorry for the lowly non-comissioned officer in the traffic section who only receive 1000-2000 baht per month. Please give generously next time they stop and ask for a contribution to the tea money fund.
Police 'pocket up to B31bn' New studies tally up income from graft
PREEYANAT PHANAYANGGOOR
Police corruption is under scrutiny again with new studies claiming officers pocketed up to 31 billion baht in illegal income from the underground economy in 2003. Academic Sungsidh Piriyarangsan, an expert on the underground economy, said his research on ''police, mafia and the black economy'', found that police earned up to 31 billion baht in extra income, mainly from illegal businesses.
They earned ''19-27 billion baht from gambling dens, 1.5-1.8 billion baht from alien workers, 500 million baht from massage parlours, 1.8 billion baht from motorcycle queues and 50 million baht from passenger van queues,'' he said.
Mr Sungsidh, of Dhurakijbundit University's Social and Economic Research Institute, said the ban on grey businesses in Thailand provided an opening for police corruption.
Gambling dens, entertainment venues and massage parlours allowed police to act as their protectors, taking bribes or a share of profits in return for turning a blind eye. The complicated process involved in hiring alien workers also allowed police to earn extra income. Employers agreed to pay bribes to smooth the process, the academic said.
For motorcycle taxis and passenger vans, police in each area could act as queue regulators as well as protect the heads of the queues, and in return received a share of the income. A second study by Supoj Jun-anantatham, Visanu Wongsinsirikul and Natthanan Wijit-aksorn on corruption in the Metropolitan Police Bureau, found that police superintendents earned from 300,000 to one million baht each month from illegal businesses.
Traffic police received the highest extra income from illegal businesses.
Deputy superintendents pocketed an estimated 200,000-300,000 baht each month, chief inspectors took 20,000-100,000 baht while non-commissioned officers received around 2,000 baht each month.
''For police investigators, deputy superintendents earned between 100,000 and 300,000 baht, chief inspectors received 100,000 baht and non-commissioned officers took 20,000 baht,'' said the report.
For crime prevention and suppression police, deputy superintendents pocketed about 10,000-200,000 baht, chief inspectors took 10,000-100,000 baht and non-commissioned officers received about 2,500-5,000 baht.
However, police interrogators received a small amount, 2,000-3,000 baht, while non-commissioned officers were paid 1,000 baht since they had to share with other officers at the police station. Mr Sungsidh suggested the government tackle the problem of police corruption by raising police salaries and financial rewards.
He said politicians should stop using police to protect their business interests and threaten their business rivals. It should allow police to be independent, and work on changing their attitude to serving society and the public more than the government. Pol Col Pinij Maneerat, deputy spokesman of the Metropolitan Police, said the figures were too high. If police received that much in kickbacks they would all be rich by now.
Can anyone please tell me what these 'crime re-enactments' often portrayed in Thai newspapers are all about? I just don't get it. What's the purpose of this custom and where does it originate?
Is it also done in other countries? Excuse my ignorance, but I never heard about that. Or is it also common practice in the US, for example?
Does Thai law stipulate that the police have to let the offenders pose in public? If so, what country, legal system is that practice based on?
No idea; although I have noted one thing. An audience is not always invited. Parked at a stoplight one day, I saw five men acting in a suspicious manner. I eventually sussed that most of them were out-of-uniform detectives. Another guy was showing these guys with his maniculed hands how he had pointed the pistol at an object we could only imagine in a deep drainage ditch. Another cop was taking digital photos of the dramaticised confession. And I never did find out what had happened. Which only reinforces my notion that we only hear about a very small percentage of murders.
Much as it may seem the Police enjoy seeing the shit kicked out of a suspect by a local mob (as happens only too often), this sort of ire also results in numerous Police casualties. I suspect there is some law that compels them to get onsite confessions. I further suspect they are not really asking the public to try & remember further evidence, as the Police usually have all the confessions that can be bothered to process by this stage of the investigation.
airlana
31-05-05, 06:34 PM
There's a case currently in Bali involving 9 Aussies on drug charges.
From today's paper in Australia:-
"Indonesian police often stage re-enactments at the tail end of investigations. Usually they invite the media.
Defence lawyers are also on hand as details generated by the exercise can be presented during a trial."
Perhaps this explanation applies also in Thailand?
.
Defence lawyers are also on hand as details generated by the exercise can be presented during a trial."I am not sure if I got that right, but it sounds a tad crazy if you think about it in detail..... I mean, does it boil down to the following?
Let's suppose you are accused of murder, but actually innocent. The police take you to the crime scene, give you a gun and let you demonstrate how you (allegedly) shot the victim. After that, it's up to your lawyer to tell the court, "But he didn't seem very convincing during the re-enactment!!!"
The point being, it is strange (to say the least) that they can make you play the role of the criminal before you are even convicted of the crime. It all doesn't make sense to me. Or is it only done in case you already confessed to the police?
jpatokal
02-06-05, 01:21 PM
The point being, it is strange (to say the least) that they can make you play the role of the criminal before you are even convicted of the crime. It all doesn't make sense to me. Or is it only done in case you already confessed to the police?
I thought Thailand was one of those (many) Asian countries where suspects are locked up and, um, "physically encouraged" into signing their own confessions, which then become the centerpiece of the trial...?
Japan in particular is notorious for this. After arrest, you can be held 21 days incommunicado without being formally charged, and the police will do everything they can to get you to sign the confession they write for you. If you do sign, conviction is certain (99%+) -- if you don't, they'll probably have to let you off without even pressing charges.
Not to mention the fact that if your boss actually committed the crime, he might well pay you & your family handsomely to take the rap for him. Such entrepreneurial jailbirds are referred to as 'sheep'. And after you get out, you may just have a job for life in the rich man's household. All Hail the Rich! ;)
I thought Thailand was one of those (many) Asian countries where suspects are locked up and, um, "physically encouraged" into signing their own confessions, which then become the centerpiece of the trial...?
Japan in particular is notorious for this. After arrest, you can be held 21 days incommunicado without being formally charged, and the police will do everything they can to get you to sign the confession they write for you. If you do sign, conviction is certain (99%+) -- if you don't, they'll probably have to let you off without even pressing charges.
Jromerz
08-08-05, 11:05 PM
Has anybody noticed the newest addition to Bangkok's police force? At the intersection of Sukhumvit Rd and Phra Khanong (Sukhumvit 71) there appears to be a new police box, which contains a manequin in police uniform (and otherwise empty) right next to the real police box. The fake cop is standing alone in his box, facing the oncoming traffic. Has the police force become too busy, or is this a new method of traffic control devised to keep drivers on edge as they approach the intersection?
Jromerz
14-08-05, 11:25 PM
Well, since i posted the last message, the plastic cop has been taken away....
maybe he's gone to work in the ministry of transport .... ?
From TNA (http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=4791), 29 November 2005:
Law council backs police over new crime reporting rule
BANGKOK , Nov 29 (TNA) - Leading lawyers have come out in support of police over a new regulation restricting media access to crime suspects and victims, describing it as "the right move." Dej-udom Krairit, president of the Lawyers Council of Thailand, argued that the ban had no real impact on the work of journalists, and was aimed at protecting both the rights of the accused and dignity of victims.
The rule went into effect last week despite an outcry from crime reporters. It bars police from parading suspects, criminals and young victims before press conferences. The re-enactment of crimes is also prohibited. Many reporters vowed to wear black in protest against the new rule, and called on the national police chief to revoke it. :eek:
In a statement, the Lawyers Council of Thailand expressed strong support for the new restrictions, saying they were in line with the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights; International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and Thailand's 2003 Child Protection Law. The regulation was also standard legal practice in the developed world, the statement said.
Mr. Dej-udom said for decades traditional crime reporting in Thailand had disrespected human dignity and undermined the constitutionally-guaranteed presumption of innocence. Suspects faces were often shown and the identity of underage victims revealed. He said such a rule should not be viewed as a violation of press freedom, or a threat to balanced reporting. (TNA)-E001
(I couldn't agree more.)
Yappofloyd
01-12-05, 09:01 AM
Although sensationalist, addicted crime reporters, media outlets and much of the public may not be able to quite accept the fact that the Thai police will finally start respecting the rights of victims and suspects, new regulations will at least finally reflect international standards.
It is not a freedom of press issue, just a matter of gratuitious reporting infringing victims and suspects rights. A few lower ranked police will also obviously miss out on the opportunity to appear on TV as well but it might mean more time on the job.
Clayton
19-01-06, 02:00 AM
Though I'm sure others may disagree, I would just like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Surat Thani authorities on the swift conviction and sentence imposed on the the two evil fishermen. Having seen them grinning prior to entering the court, it was great to see their shocked faces when the sentence was read out.
Let's hope the appeal doesn't drag on too long, the sentence is upheld and these wicked individuals are quickly put to the death they richly deserve:) .
Hopefully the trial had some elements of fairness in it; and was not just an effort to appease Thaksin & the Tourist Dollar.
I can't comment on this case, but I do know that the Thai police are often rather more interested in finding someone to be the guilty party; and are not too fussy about whether they have the right person. And in such cases, execution avoids any comebacks on their sloppy work.
The Enforcer!
19-01-06, 11:07 AM
I share GWR's concerns - seems too quick for justice to have been served.
The Enforcer!
Clayton
19-01-06, 11:20 AM
I share GWR's concerns - seems too quick for justice to have been served.
The Enforcer!
You call yourself "The Enforcer" yet, your comments here and in other threads suggest anything but that, perhaps "The Liberal" would be better?:confused:
BangkokPundit
19-01-06, 12:39 PM
Hopefully the trial had some elements of fairness in it; and was not just an effort to appease Thaksin & the Tourist Dollar.
I can't comment on this case, but I do know that the Thai police are often rather more interested in finding someone to be the guilty party; and are not too fussy about whether they have the right person. And in such cases, execution avoids any comebacks on their sloppy work.
While you say you are not commenting on this case, you then go and disparage the Thai police based on other cases? Why don't you look at what the Police actually did in this case. I mean if anything that has come out of this case so far is that it shows that when the Thai Police want to, they can actually investigate a crime properly? According to the Press, we have DNA evidence linking the suspects to the victim, we have a confession, and we have witnesses who gave evidence to the police saying the victims boasted of raping a western woman.
In Thailand, when the accused pleads guilty, the case is usually over quite quickly as the prosecution has little to prove.
The main question for the defence becomes mitigation of sentence and whether the defence had adequate time to prepare mitigating circumstances to the court. I do share some concerns here, but normally it is the Court of Appeal which will more seriously look at this in a couple of months when the appeal is heard. I would be very surprised if the sentence is upheld as the sentence is often reduced on appeal, particularly as the accused plead guilty in this case.
Guilty as charged, but not repentent.
While you say you are not commenting on this case, you then go and disparage the Thai police based on other cases?
Yes, it looks like an ‘open & shut’ case. And a clear majority of folk clearly prefer the death penalty in such a case. I can see no clear indication that death penalties actually stop murders. But I can also see no clear evidence that lesser punishments work either. And victims of crime need to be satisfied. So we are stuck with an imperfect system and have to make the best of it.
Reasons not to comment heavily on the actual case in detail: I wasn’t in the courtroom. I don’t have a comprehensive knowledge of the legal system here.
I strongly suspect these guys are guilty. They confessed. But ....
We get daily evidence of policemen, ex-policemen, politicians, legal people, powerful & rich people and their captive media colluding to pervert the course of justice for the sake of their own short-term profit. Every week, we see news reports on attempts to prosecute bent coppers; and many of them seem to get away with it, even when the media seem to indicate that the evidence is compelling.
No apology for disparaging the Police. If they want to be seen as professional, they need to properly showcase their newfound skills. They need to show that they abide by the law themselves.
The Enforcer!
20-01-06, 11:05 AM
You call yourself "The Enforcer" yet, your comments here and in other threads suggest anything but that, perhaps "The Liberal" would be better?:confused:
Absolutely not. Justice must be served but must be fairly administered.
I have seen many a person's life wrecked or careers ruined by allegiations made by police, published in the press etc and subsequently they are found not guilty or, indeed, in several cases, there was 'no contest' (i.e, the police did not put up a case). Even a public apology does not makes things better.
Only last week the BBC televised the famous 'witchcraft' trial in UK where four families in 1996 had their children forcibly taken away by Police in dawn raids over allegiations they were being used in witchcraft/black magic stuff. It took a bungled Police enquiry three months to realise that Social Services had had NO EVIDENCE AT ALL merely a 'conversation' with one 4 year old girl about "a night of fires" ... which turned out to be Guy Fawkes Night! All the familes were forced to move and/or change identity.
The problem with justice systems around the world is that there are far too many zealots believing they can do no wrong and that everyone is guilty unless proven innocent.
The Enforcer!
Clayton
23-01-06, 12:04 PM
Absolutely not. Justice must be served but must be fairly administered.
I have seen many a person's life wrecked or careers ruined by allegiations made by police, published in the press etc and subsequently they are found not guilty or, indeed, in several cases, there was 'no contest' (i.e, the police did not put up a case). Even a public apology does not makes things better.
Only last week the BBC televised the famous 'witchcraft' trial in UK where four families in 1996 had their children forcibly taken away by Police in dawn raids over allegiations they were being used in witchcraft/black magic stuff. It took a bungled Police enquiry three months to realise that Social Services had had NO EVIDENCE AT ALL merely a 'conversation' with one 4 year old girl about "a night of fires" ... which turned out to be Guy Fawkes Night! All the familes were forced to move and/or change identity.
The problem with justice systems around the world is that there are far too many zealots believing they can do no wrong and that everyone is guilty unless proven innocent.
The Enforcer!
So, you suspect this was rough justice? If you look at ALL the facts the evidence appears pretty convincing.
Nothing is perfect and on occasions, justice systems are bound to get things wrong. Personally, I don't have a problem with guilty until proven innocent, especially with offences such as this. The Great British Justice System is anything but that - everything is in the criminals favour, that's why crime is rampant there, they could learn a lot from this swift, merciless justice.
Wisarut
23-01-06, 01:16 PM
For police, Everybody's Guilty even after Proven Innocent
j.j. havellas
13-09-06, 09:28 AM
Hi, did anyone else see last night (12 September) that soi Ruam Ruedee was filled with police and emergency vehicles (I would estimate around 20+) from Ploenchit road back to the Conrad Hotel at All Seasons Place? :confused:
Anyone know what this was about? There seemed to be a lot of activity around the construction site for the new Plaza Athinee Residence, but surely you wouldn't need over 20 police/emergency vehicles for most emergencies?
..unless Osama was hiding out there maybe? :D
Is the obvious conclusion from these two reports too simplistic? Does anyone know if DSI is still involved in the Thaksin Car Bomb plot?: -
DSI chief asks for a transfer : government spokesman
Department of Special Investigation (DSI)'s chief Pol Gen Sombat Amornwiwat has asked for a transfer back to the Royal Police Department, Government Spokesman Yongyuth Maiyarap said.
Sombat has been appointed as director general of DSI which is under Justice Department during Thaksin government.
Yongyuth said that Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont invited Police Commissioner Pol Gen Kowit Watana to discuss Sombat's request.
The PM asked Kowit to consider the request.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017295
DSI ordered to speed up Somchai case
The Justice Ministry Thursday put pressure to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to speed up investigation over the disappearance of prominent Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit.
Justice Minister Charnchai Likitjitta and the ministry's permanent secretary Jaran Phakdithanakul instructed DSI's chief Sombat Amornwiwat to show progress of the investigation by a week.
The ministry will report the outcome of the investigation to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont who will visit the deep south soon.
Somchai, former leader of Muslim Lawyer Club, went missing since March 2004 after a disclosure of torture to his clients who were accused of involving in a raid to a military camp in Narathiwat.
The raid was the beginning of a spate of violence in the predominantly Muslim region which has claimed more than 1,700 lives so far.
The DSI was instructed to handle the missing case after the criminal court failed to hand down tough punishment to police officers suspected of Somchai's abduction. Only one police officer was sentenced for illegal detention.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017207
And this just came in a few minutes ago.
Any connections here anyone? Are these influential people? Or are they victims of influential people?
Honorary Consul Couple arrested
Police have arrested a Malaysian national who is an honourary consul to Morocco and his Thai wife who is an honourary consul to Djibouti for having allegedly encroached on a vast plot of public land on Yao Island off Phang Nga coast.
Tun Tex Hai, aka 'Valentino', 56, and Suwaphat Kheereephon, 41, were arrested late Thursday night by Department of Special Investigation (DSI) agents at their home in Phuket's Muang district. Both suspects had denied the charge.
Police are waiting for three Thai people, including a land official based on Yao Island, to turn themselves in to DSI agents next week as they promised to.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/27/headlines/headlines_30017307.php
What a difference a year doesn't make!
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2005statements/337/
THAILAND: What is the point of Thailand's Department of Special Investigation?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2005
AS-84-2005
A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
What is the point of Thailand's Department of Special Investigation?
For at least the third time, Thailand's Ministry of Justice has announced that its Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will take over the inquiry into disappeared human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit. The announcement came after Somchai's wife went to Geneva to tell the U.N. Human Rights Committee, which is considering Thailand's compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, that the government had failed her and her family.
In the days after the lawyer went missing last March 2004, the prime minister gave assurances that all necessary steps would be taken to find out what happened to Somchai after he was forcibly removed from his car in Bangkok. Five police officers were quickly identified as having something to do with the abduction, and charged with relatively minor criminal offences. They have all pleaded not guilty, and no one is any closer to knowing what happened to Somchai, although it is commonly accepted that senior persons in the administration were behind the disappearance.
On at least two previous occasions the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received commitments from the government of Thailand that the DSI had taken up the case. The first time was last August, when the former Minister of Justice Pongthep Thepkanjana wrote to the AHRC that, "An ad hoc committee under the responsibility of the Special Investigation Department¡K has been set up to work on information gathering, forensic evidence as well as other investigation for the case". The committee, he added, had made "a lot of progress". By September it was evident that there was no committee and no progress. So much for the DSI, part one.
However, rumours and public assurances that the DSI was doing something about Somchai continued to float around. Even two deputy prime ministers were appointed to oversee the case. Surely something was being done? But nothing more was heard about the matter. Then, this May, the AHRC received a second written statement from the Ministry of Justice that, yes, the DSI was on the case; this time from the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, Kobkiat Kasivivat. "The Ministry of Justice," he wrote, "Has assigned the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, Central Institute of Forensic Science and the Department of Special Investigation to co-proceed in related issues" on the case. It had also "given an order to the Department of Special Investigation to take further investigation, but the whereabouts of Mr Somchai are still undiscovered." Sounds familiar: DSI, part two.
This week, we again have media reports of the same: "Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Wannasathit said the DSI decided to take over the Somchai case [on July 19] because people in the South suspected official involvement in his disappearance¡K" the Bangkok Post wrote, among others. Here we go again: DSI, part three.
Almost a year and a half since Somchai was forcibly disappeared and the government of Thailand seems to be doing nothing other than playing football with the Department of Special Investigation. Every time public attention is drawn to the case, the DSI name gets kicked up, while the perpetrators of the lawyer's disappearance--and those behind them--continue to enjoy impunity.
Under the circumstances, the question that must be asked is what is the point of the DSI? Does it serve any real purpose or is it just a government plaything? What is the extent of its resources and abilities? When can we expect to see evidence that it is capable of doing anything other than further demoralising victims and their families?
Take the complaint of Ekkawat Srimanta, who was brutally tortured by police in Ayutthaya province, which was supposedly taken up by the DSI. Given the mounds of evidence in that case, where the victim was taken straight to hospital with hundreds of electrical burns all over his genitals and other body parts, the DSI should have been able to lodge criminal charges against the perpetrators pretty quickly, right? Yet one of the alleged perpetrators, Police Lieutenant Colonel Seubsak Pinsaeng turned up in court this week to testify against another person who has accused him of torture, and told the court that he was back at duty as Ekkawat's case had 'gone quiet'.
The killing of environmentalist Charoen Wat-aksorn has also reportedly been handled by the DSI. More than a year has passed since his murder and only the hired gunmen have been indicted. His widow has insisted that the investigators can identify the persons behind the killing, but as they are influential people they too have enjoyed impunity. The DSI has sat on the case for a year without result, and Charoen's widow says that it has excluded a great deal of evidence from its investigation. After meeting with her on June 21, when she led protesters to the front of their offices, the Minister of Justice and the Director of the DSI agreed to 'reopen' the investigation. What this means in practice remains to be seen.
In its second submission to the U.N. Human Rights Committee this July, the sister organisation of the AHRC, the Asian Legal Resource Centre stressed the need for a stronger, faster and more transparent Department of Special Investigation. This requires increases in budget, personnel and training. However, above all, the management style of the department must be changed. The DSI has an important role to play in effecting human rights in Thailand, not least of all as at present it is the only criminal investigation agency not under full control of the police. It should not be a toy for politicians or senior bureaucrats to bounce around every time they need to ameliorate criticism over inaction on cases of public concern. The DSI must put the needs of victims and their families ahead of the needs of members of parliament and cabinet. It must be willing and able to operate more autonomously and with greater initiative. It must be freed from the obstruction of police and other powerful persons and agencies that may fear the outcome of its investigations.
And whatever else, the DSI is no substitute for an independent body to receive, investigate and prosecute complaints of grave human rights abuse against police officers and other state officials. Had Thailand such an agency already, the wife of Somchai Neelaphaijit, as well as the wife of Charoen Wat-aksorn, Ekkawat Srimanta and numerous others besides would not be wondering how they will ever get justice in Thailand. They would not have to go to the Minister of Justice to make special requests for proper investigations, as if a privilege rather than a right. They would not have to hear one, two, three or more times that 'the DSI has taken the case', without evidence to suggest that this is anything other than a cruel joke. So all joking aside, what is the point of the Department of Special Investigation?
# # #
About AHRC The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984
A rundown of DSI's view of its own role: -
http://www.dsi.go.th/dsi/about_box.jsp?detail=17
jpatokal
28-10-06, 09:20 PM
What a difference a year doesn't make!
...speaking of which, whatever happened to K. Somchai's disappearance case? I'll go out on a limb here and guess that absolutely nothing? :confused:
Well, there is this. I hope for everyone's sake he's not using this case ONLY to discredit someone.
A close aide to former PM may involve in disappearance of Somchai Neelaphaijit
Army Commander in Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin said he was informed that it is possible that a close aide to ousted prime minister involved in a mysterious missing of a Muslim lawyer in March 2004.
He said he based his information on an investigative report of a working group on the disappearance of Somchai Neelaphaijit, an human rights advocate and outspoken lawyer.
Sonthi who led ousting of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September did not give further elaboration.
Somchai, the chairman of Thailand's Muslim Lawyers Association, was last seen in March. His car was found on Khampaengphet Road in Bangkok near the New Mor Chit bus station. The vehicle's trunk was heavily dented.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017607
More detail in this article this morning: -
Person close to former PM phoned key policeman on night of abduction: Sonthi
Army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin yesterday linked prominent Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelaphai-jit's disappearance to people close to ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The dramatic revelation sparked new hope that the missing lawyer's family might finally see justice.
"I have received information from investigators that some individuals close to former prime minister Thaksin were behind the disappearance of Somchai," Sonthi told reporters yesterday.
The junta chief, who led a coup to topple Thaksin six weeks ago, declined to give further details or identify any of the individuals allegedly involved.
Somchai's wife Angkhana Neelaphaijit said the information might be the same as what she had known for a long time. It indicated that a person from the Prime Minister's Office made several phone calls to one of five police allegedly involved in the abduction of her husband on March 12, 2004, she said.
Police Lt-Colonel Chatchai Liumsanguan, Police Lt-Col Sinchai Nimpunyakhamphong, Sergeant Chaiyaweng Phaduang, Corporal Randorn Sithikhet and Pol Major Ngern Thongsuk were charged with illegal detention in connection with Somchai's disappearance.
But only Pol Major Ngern, of the Crime Suppression Bureau, was jailed - for three years - after a trial. Three of seven eyewitnesses who testified in court said they had seen Ngern forcibly push Somchai into a car.
Investigators have reportedly never found any evidence or information to link the five police with any other individuals believed to have close connections to Thaksin, Angkhana said.
"I don't know why officials have sat on the information for so long time and never brought it to the court to pin down any suspects," Angkhana said in a phone interview.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) was instructed last year to carry on with the case to bring more wrongdoers to justice.
But the department had made little progress, until Sonthi instructed embattled DSI chief Pol Gen Sombat Amornwiwat to speed up the probe and report on its latest findings.
DSI investigators admitted they had found no solid evidence to make a clear case or take any other suspects into custody, said Angkhana, who met the team last week.
But Sonthi's hint might help steer inquiries in the right direction, she said, adding that the coup leader's move gave her hope.
DSI spokesman Col Piyawat Kingket said the department would contact Sonthi to obtain more information about the disappearance, because existing evidence provided no links to people close to Thaksin or leads to the possible arrest of any suspects, he said.
An informed source said an individual at Government House had several phone conversations with one of the five police officers, who was heading from Bangkok to the western province of Ratchaburi, from 8.30pm on the night Somchai was abducted.
The former prime minister Thaksin told Angkana in a private meeting last year that her husband was dead and that some government officials were involved. He later instructed the DSI to continue looking into the case.
Aran Pancharoen, a colleague of Somchai from the Muslim Lawyers Association, called for the authorities to overhaul the investigation team in order to make real progress.
Investigators had to be independent and free from possible interference by influential figures, otherwise they could be blocked from gathering the truth, Aran said.
Somchai was the former chairman of the Muslim Lawyers Association. He defended many Muslim suspects accused of violence in the restive South.
He went missing after publicly revealing that police had tortured his clients. The disclosure caused a huge loss of face for the police and was believed to be the key motive for his abduction.
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/01/headlines/headlines_30017708.php
March 12, 2004: Lawyer Somchai Neelahphaijit, 55, chairman of Thailand's Muslim Lawyers Association, went missing after he was last seen waiting for his friend at Chalina Hotel in central Bangkok.
March 16, 2004: Somchai's car was found at a parking lot of the North and Northeast Bus Terminal on Kampaengphet Road.
March 18, 2004: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ordered formation of a police committee to especially investigate Somchai's disappearance.
March April 2004: Seven witnesses questioned by police said they saw a group of men pushing Somchai into a station wagon after intercepting his car in Ramkamhaeng area on the night of Match 12.
April 8, 2004: Arrest warrants were issued against four policemen suspected of involvement in the abduction of Somchai.
April 29, 2004: Another arrest warrant was issued against the fifth policeman.
June 16, 2004: The five police suspects were charged in court for coercion on the ground that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute them for a more serious crime.
January 12, 2006: Pol Maj Ngoen Thongsuk, one of the five policemen standing trial for their suspected involvement in Somchai's disappearance, was sentenced to three years in prison for coercion. The four others were acquitted for lack of evidence.
January 12, 2006: Somchai's wife Angkhana Neelaphaijit said after meeting then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that the premier told her that Somchai was dead.
Brass press police chief over probes
Military leaders yesterday summoned National Police commissioner General Kowit Wattana amid reports he may be sacked
Council for National Security chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and the armed forces chiefs met with Kowit over investigations into lese majeste allegedly committed by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
CNS leaders were reportedly unhappy with the progress made by Kowit and Attorney General Patchara Yutithamdhamrong.
One of the justifications cited for the coup was allegedly inappropriate comments concerning the monarchy. Four earlier allegations of lese majeste against Thaksin have been dropped.
Yesterday's meeting sought information on political "undercurrents" allegedly sparked by Thaksin supporters.
There were reports pro-Thaksin forces would stage an anti-CNS rally today. Many were concerned the CNS had failed to make headway in its post-coup goals.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/01/national/national_30017703.php
The Council for National Security will remove Pol Gen Kowit Watana from the post of national police chief and sideline him to an inactive post at PM's Office, a souce from Government House said.
The source said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont would sign an order to remove Kowit and transfer him to an inactive post at the PM's Office.
The source said Deputy Police Commissioner-General Pol Gen Phatcharawat Wongsuwan would be made acting police chief replacing Kowit.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017864
Channel 11 News was this evening showing pictures of Khunying Pornthip and her forensic team investigating human remains found at a dump in what looked like an old quarry in Ratchaburi Province. The TV reporters were clearly linking the find with the Somchai disappearance: -
http://i12.tinypic.com/29p1z44.jpg
(Picture:2bangkok.com)
It's hard to ignore the spelling mistake here.
More on our earlier report:-
Scaleton remains link Somchai case found
Forensic team found suspicious scaleton remains in a waste dumping area in Ratchaburi, believed to be the crime scene where the body of Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit was set fire.
"Currently we found bones believed to belong to a human being. We will have to ask the bone expert to take a closer look whether it is a human bone. If so, from which part of the body does it come from," said Khunying Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand, acting forensic science institution.
The bones will be sent for DNA test and if it matches with that of Somchai, she added.
The prominent Muslim lawyer Somchai went missing since March 12, 2004 after a disclosure of police's mistreatment to his clients who were accused of involving in a raid to a military camp in Narathiwat which killed four soldiers and took more than 300 war weapons.
Somchai's disappearance raised the international outrage for human rights practise in Thailand, particularly in the three southernmost provinces where more than 1,700 people have been killed since the violence re-emerged in January 2004.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017880
But not according to the PM: -
Surayud denies planning to remove police chief
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont Thursday denied that he planned to remove Pol Gen Kowit Watana as the national police chief.
Surayud sadi the speculation that Kowit would be transferred to an inactive post at the PM"s Office was a rumour.
Surayud said Kowit had done nothing wrong to deserve removal from his post.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017881
This is shaping up into a week of action: -
Pol Gen Sombat Amornwiwat has been removed as director-general of the Department of Special Investigation, the permanent secretary for Justice said Friday.
Jaral Phakdeethanakul, permanent secretary for Justice, said Justice Minister Charnchai Likitjita had signed an order to transfer Sombat to the post of a deputy permanent secretary for Justice.
Jaral said Sombat would have to report himself in the new position on Monday.
He said deputy permanent secretary for Justice Kraisorn Barameeuaychai would become acting director-general of the DSI.
Jaral said Sombat had to be removed for the post so that the investigation into the abduction and murder of lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit could proceed.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017946
Suspect that the word 'alleged' means they are policemen and thus worthy of more doubt that the rest of us would be. Could our resident legal experts tell me why we have to go through this rigmarole of announcing arrests so that the suspects can run away?: -
Arrest warrants to be issued for alleged murderers of Somchai
Police will soon issue arrest warrants for a group of people who allegedly involved in killing Somchai Neelapaichit, a Thai Muslim lawyer who went missing two years ago, a spokesman of Attorney General Office said Friday.
Attaporn Yaisawang said that his office has received evidences from Department of Special Investigation that proved that Somchai who went missing has already died.
Therefore, the charges against suspects will be murders, instead of holding without permission as earlier charged.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017956
Baton Rouge
04-11-06, 07:38 PM
The Nation Online says the DSI are now denying that there will soon be any arrest warrants for high-ranking policemen as a result of its reclassification of the crime as a murder.
This can probably be taken as an indication that Police Chief Kowit is remonstrating with the interim government to avoid any further injuries to the "pride & honor" of his force.
There will now be a short interlude while the killers get away with it scot-free.
It seems that Khunying Pornthip is one of the few people who hasn't forgotten the events of 1992: -
Pornthip seeks time to identify bones
Forensic scientist Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunand yesterday asked for two weeks to determine if the bones uncovered during a search of a garbage dump in Ratchaburi were from humans or animals.
Pornthip, acting director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, said the nearly 500 bone fragments retrieved in Huaychinnasee were sent to the institute's lab after they were sorted into six zones according to where they were found.
Tomorrow, animal parts would be separated from human bones and they would be subjected to chemical tests, which were expected to yield results in two weeks, she said.
Since the bones were still in good condition, those of unidentifiable origin would be forwarded for DNA testing. Photos of the bones and their surroundings would also be sent to the University of Tennessee in the US to help determine the date of death. The remains most likely did not belong to the missing protesters from the bloody political turbulence of May 1992, as they were believed to be buried together while the bones were scattered around and buried only a few inches below the surface.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/08/national/national_30018376.php
Baton Rouge
15-11-06, 08:12 AM
I'm one of those people who always ticks the option for no publicity in the case of a lottery win. However, this case makes me wonder if that's the right approach here. Difficult! Even a minor lottery win usually means a party for the whole soi. And a major win can mean bailing out all the rellies who are too BF idle to service their own unsustainable spending habits. It also reminds me how often the basically well-intended have to pay the price of those who deliberately set out to break the law. This is a classic example of everything that was so badly thought-out during the previous regime.
The Nation - online 14/11
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/15/national/national_30018965.php
..........
Permanent secretary for Justice Charan Phakdithanakul said that officials attending yesterday's 30th meeting of drug law enforcement agencies from Asia and the Pacific had asked about killings of the 2,500-plus alleged drug dealers.
..........
Charan mentioned his previous meeting with former Nakhon Ratchasima senator Kraisak Choonhavan, who brought evidence of a couple being killed despite having no history of drug dealing. That inquiry ended with no one being punished.
Kraisak said the two had won first prize in a lottery but kept their win a secret. But people became suspicious about where their sudden wealth came from.
...........
Baton Rouge
15-11-06, 10:17 PM
Found this in Chiang-Mai Citylife. This is just one paragraph in a fairly long article on murder in Thailand.
http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1612
Some stats for you first: Number of deaths by firearms throughout the world: 1. No surprise is South Africa with just over 31,000 in the two year study. 2. Columbia with almost 22,000 (again, this is not surprising.) Number three . . . Well you'd think Russia, USA, China or India. They all have large populations and high crime rates. But no, number three is Thailand, even with the omnipresent jai yen big brother it managed to reach 20,032 murders by firearm in two years. It's worth noting though, that non firearm murder rates see Thailand ranked at 8th in the world with 5,140 murders, USA, 6th with over 12,000 and India topping the charts with over 37,000. It's also worth noting that some of the stats might be unreliable in countries that have inferior law enforcement and governments that don't have the resources to collect statistical figures. These facts were taken from the Seventh United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems, covering the period 1998 - 2000 (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention). By the way, there's a heavy drop off for fourth place in the murder firearm rate, which is the USA with only 8,259 deaths, and when you consider death per capita, Thailand is much, much higher than the US.
The article also claims that Thailand is placed at Number 5 for alcohol consumption, with the thought that low alcohol intake by a significant percentage of the female population means that male alcohol consumption in some social groups is probably much higher than is officially recorded.
Baton Rouge
15-02-07, 04:04 PM
Undoubtedly one of the most negative aspects of life here is the constant guerilla warfare that those with unbridled power constantly wage against each other. It has already started in on the CARETAKER National Police Chief. Much as I have a very healthy disrespect for both army & police generals and their megabucks moonlights, it has to be said that Seripisut probably has himself to blame on this issue; having spent too much time mouthing-off to the media when he should have be beavering away in semi-obscurity to catch criminals.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30026953
National police chief sued for Bt600 million
Army officer Maj General Khattiya Sawasdipol Thursday filed Bt600million defamation suit against acting national police chief General Seripisut Temiyavej.
Khattiya said Seripisut defamed him early last year by suggesting that he was linked to a large gambling den in Bangkok. At that time, Seripisut was a police inspector general.
According to Khattiya, a Thailanguage newspaper published Seripisit's interview on February 18 last year.
Khattiya accused Seripisut of exploiting his post as the police inspector general
"The post gave him credibility but what he said was groundless," Khattiya said in his affidavit.
The Criminal Court was scheduled to hold a hearing to decide whether Khattiya's suit merit judicial review on April 23.
In November, the Criminal Court acquitted Khattiya over a libel lawsuit filed by Seripisut.
The Nation
Khattiya, Seripisut sue one another
Army officer Maj General Khattiya Sawasdipol yesterday filed a Bt600 million defamation suit with the Criminal Court against acting national police chief General Seripisut Temiyavej.
Seripisut immediately sent his lawyer to the Civil Court to file a Bt500 million suit against Khattiya and four accomplices.
Khattiya said Seripisut defamed him early last year by suggesting he was linked to a large gambling den in Bangkok. Seripisut was a police inspector general at the time.
According to Khattiya, a Thai-language newspaper published an interview with Seripisut on February 18 last year.
Khattiya accused Seripisut of exploiting his post as the police inspector general.
"The post gave him credibility, but what he said was groundless," Khattiya said in his affidavit.
The Criminal Court was scheduled to hold a hearing to decide whether Khattiya's suit merits judicial review on April 23.
Meanwhile, Seripisut has filed 29 cases against Khattiya with the Criminal Court, which agreed to rule on 20 of them.
In addition, Seripisut's lawyer Anantachai Chaiyadej also lodged a complaint with the Civil Court yesterday demanding Bt500 million compensation from Khattiya and four accomplices for defaming Seripisut.
According to Anantachai, Khattiya and his accomplices groundlessly accused Seripisut of being involved in gambling dens, horse race gambling, brothels and illicit drugs.
The Civil Court was scheduled to rule on whether the complaint merited judicial review on May 21.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/16/national/national_30027018.php
BangkokPundit
15-02-07, 11:50 PM
Seripisut is no stranger to defamation cases (http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:XLiwfxlE0I8J:goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-1323927/THAI-NEWSPAPER-HIGHLIGHTS-OCT-19.html+Seripisuth+Temiyavej&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=au&client=firefox-a):
Matichon Co has paid Pol Gen Seripisuth Temiyavej, an inspector-general at the Royal Thai Police Office, 25 million baht in a lump-sum out-of-court settlement in exchange for his withdrawal of all defamation lawsuits against the company
From: 19 October 2004
I don't want to bore you with references to non-Thai politics, but there have been a few people who have made a fair bit of money from lawsuits against media companies. From Australia (http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/if-the-truth-be-told-/2006/01/19/1137553712938.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2):
Politicians and others in the public eye have been frequent litigants. Kerry Packer's solicitor, Mark O'Brien, once quipped about a case against the ABC that "there might be a polo field or two in this little verdict". Bob Hawke is often quoted as having said a pool and tennis court at his former home were paid for with the proceeds of libel wins. He still won four elections despite the damage to his reputation.
Some would even say, my torts lecturers was one of them, that that there are strong rumours that a media organisation and a certain figure agree that the media organisation will defame the politician. The politician will sue. There will be an out of court settlement with the politician's bank balance looking healthier. Then a year later the media organisation wins some new license.
One could label this kind of thing corruption and it is just another reason why political figures and senior bureaucrats (including the police and military) should have limited right to suing media organisations for defamation.
Scuba22
16-02-07, 07:21 AM
"One could label this kind of thing corruption"????
If true, I find it hard to see how it can be called anything else!
Getting even further away from the specific, this is how medical insurance scams work as well - you collude with your doctor to sue him for malpractice, and then split the cash.
Scuba
Tettyan
16-02-07, 11:39 AM
One could label this kind of thing corruption and it is just another reason why political figures and senior bureaucrats (including the police and military) should have limited right to suing media organisations for defamation.
That's why in the states the Supreme Court has limited the application of common-law libel (burden of proof on the defendant) in actions involving public figures, requiring a higher burden of proof for plaintiffs. See New York Times v. Sullivan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_v._Sullivan). Unfortunately, I don't know of any other countries that have followed suit (I know the UK hasn't, and for civil law jurisdictions like Japan, the statues on the books still look very much like common-law libel). Which makes it even less likely that the idea has even crossed the head of anyone who matters in Thailand. :(
BangkokPundit
16-02-07, 04:13 PM
That's why in the states the Supreme Court has limited the application of common-law libel (burden of proof on the defendant) in actions involving public figures, requiring a higher burden of proof for plaintiffs. See New York Times v. Sullivan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_v._Sullivan). Unfortunately, I don't know of any other countries that have followed suit (I know the UK hasn't, and for civil law jurisdictions like Japan, the statues on the books still look very much like common-law libel). Which makes it even less likely that the idea has even crossed the head of anyone who matters in Thailand. :(
I really think the limits that the Sullivan case placed on libel is the correct approach. Even worse in Thailand you have criminal defamation so public figures (yes, including a former PM) can muzzle opponents with the threat of a jail sentence.
Scuba: I don't want certain former Australian politicians suing me for defamation for calling them corrupt.
Father charged for beating son, 14, to death
A construction worker in Bangkok's Klong Toei district beat his 14-year-old son to death with a metal pipe and then claimed he had to kill the boy because he could not afford to raise him, police said yesterday.
Responding to a reported homicide early in the morning, police found Wasan Natthaya lying in a pool of blood on a footpath near the Phra Khanong intersection, while his 43-year-old father Subin Natthaya sat nearby.
Police also found the murder weapon, a bloodstained metal pipe, and a six-inch knife nearby. Witnesses said Wasan - chased by his pipe-wielding father from where they lived in Soi Phumjit - fell down and Subin hit the boy until he was dead, despite his pleas for his life.
Subin told police he lived with two sons at a campsite in the soi for eight years after he split with his wife. Wasan was a bad boy, never lending a hand with the chores and only interested in computer games.
Wasan had told Subin that he would become a spirit medium, boasting he was immortal and could not be injured by knives.
So he stabbed the boy in the neck but the knife broke and the boy ran away.
"When he fell down, I started to beat him and then, fearing that he would suffer from the injuries, I decided to kill him.
"I did it because he was a bad boy and I couldn't take care of him on my own. I have had a difficult life and raising him was getting too much, so I decided to kill him," Subin told police.
Subin was charged with murder and has been sent for psychiatric test as well as tests for drug abuse.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/28/national/national_30028082.php
Airman gets life term, then bail
A senior Air Force officer was yesterday handed a life sentence and his wife a five-year jail term for assisting him in brutally beating and then setting fire to a young Burmese housemaid five years ago.
The Uthai Thani Court verdict also seized a pickup truck belonging to Group Captain Suchart Akkhawibool, which he had used to transport the victim - known only as "Masu" - and dump her by the roadside in Muang district on a July night in 2002.
The 18-year-old was found in a badly burned state and later sent to a hospital but she succumbed to "severe burn trauma" a few days later.
Speaking to police before she died, she said Suchart and wife Yuwadee had severely beaten her and earlier doused her with acid after accusing her of stealing valuables.
Yuwadee was convicted for assisting Suchart in confining and abusing Masu.
Apart from murder, Suchart was also convicted of hiring an unregistered immigrant and violation of immigration regulations.
The verdict said both defendants chained the victim to a bedpost and Suchart repeatedly battered her with a pistol and other objects, apart from punching and stamping on her after the valuables went missing.
The housemaid suffered the ordeal in captivity for 16 days before Suchart doused her with fuel and set her on fire.
The lawyer of the convicted couple said he would appeal against the verdict. Both were released on bail.
A number of Thai workers who allegedly assisted them in the crime are still on the run.
Suchart and his wife surrendered to police a few days after the victim died and he was later temporarily suspended from the Air Force after criminal charges were filed.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/02/national/national_30028255.php
One truly wonders if the words "sufficiency economy" were ever used in the spiel that this army officer used before he walked away with 40 million baht:
General denies knowing bribe suspects
Council for National Security (CNS) chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin on Friday denied that a colonel arrested for fraud charges had worked for the CNS.
He insisted he would never has such a person on his team.
On Thursday, the police arrested Colonel Nattaporn Chaithongkham along with a civilian Attaphan Maneechotewichanat, for using the name of CNS secretary-general General Winai Phattiyakul to ask for Bt40 million from Panatthana Tamprateep, editor and owner of the Khao Phandin Siam newspaper in exchange for a ministerial seat.
Nattaporn, attached to the Supreme Command Headquarters, claimed he was a Winai's "close aide" and a headhunter searching for people to join the Cabinet.
Panatthana said the two men told him he was a "favourite choice" and would get into the Cabinet if he gave Bt40 million to back the candidacy.
However, the recent Cabinet reshuffle saw no fresh faces in the new lineup although he had paid the money.
Winai strongly denied knowing the suspects.
Both suspects denied fraud charges. Nattaporn used his position to secure bail. Attaphan placed 100,000 baht bail.
Sonthi warned the public to be aware of a number of people who had illegally claimed that they worked for the CNS in order to do mischief.
Supreme Commander Gen Boonsang Niempradit said he did not believe any CNS leaders would back Colonel Nattaporn to ask for the bribe.
However, the case would not make the public lose faith in the CNS as it was conducted by individuals, he said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/09/headlines/headlines_30028936.php
Yet another dreadful crime committed by those in uniform:
Thread containing reports on another 'uniformed' crime (http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=2260)
A Karaoke singer accuses a policeman of chopping her arm
A policeman in Saraburi was temporarily discharged from service on Thursday pending an investigation after a woman accused him of chopping her right arm.
Pol Lance Corporal Nirut Thammasap has been charged with attempted murder and causing serious injuries for his alleged attack on Suphansa Wichananant on February 25, a karaoke singer.
Suphansa alleged that Nirut chopped her arm after she refused to share a table with him and two of his male friends at a karaoke bar she was working.
She said the three followed her on motorcycles and one of them used big knife to cut off her arm.
Two other friends, Nirat Kongtham and Prasarn Bundok who allegedly assisted in the crime have not been charged with any offence.
It is not yet clear on Thursday who chopped her arm.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/22/headlines/headlines_30029973.php
:mad: Officer suspended over horrendous assault
A policeman based in Saraburi was yesterday suspended from duty pending an investigation into his alleged role in last month's attack on a woman whose arm was chopped off after she refused to share a table with him and two security volunteers at a local restaurant.
Pol Lance Corporal Nirut Thammasap has been charged with attempted murder and causing serious injuries, along with carrying a government-owned firearm while off duty. The alleged attack on Suphansa Wichanant took place on February 25 after he and the two other men chased her on two motorcycles when she was escaping from them.
Pol Lt General Pratchaya Sutthapreeda, chief of the Provincial Police Bureau 1, said Nirat Kongtham was the assailant who carried the knife and chopped off the victim's right arm above her elbow while riding pillion on a motorcycle driven by Prasarn Bundok. Nirut was riding another motorcycle alongside them.
The civilians have been charged with the same offences, excluding the one relating to the firearm. The three suspects have been released on bail after they turned themselves in to Ban Mor police station, to which Nirut is assigned.
Pratchaya said Nirut's superior officers at Ban Mor station and Pol Lieutenant Thanawan Marttraraj, the duty officer on the night of the crime, would also face disciplinary action for allegedly helping Nirut by distorting the facts of the investigation report to read that Suphansa lost her arm in a road accident.
The victim, a hostess at a karaoke bar in Ban Mor district, lodged a petition with acting police chief Seripisut Temiyavej on Tuesday because there had been no progress in Ban Mor police's investigation nearly one month after the attack.
In a press interview, Suphansa said she was eating alone at the restaurant before the three men, apparently drunk, approached her and verbally harassed her in a sexual way. They called her over to sit with them at their table but she refused. She scolded them after they moved to her table and continued harassing her.
The three men snatched the key to her motorcycle when she was about to leave the restaurant and demanded that she go with them to sing in one of their rooms. Suphansa said the key was returned to her after she scolded them more rudely.
She said the men then followed her on two motorcycles and Nirat chopped off her right arm with a long knife when his motorcycle caught up to hers. Despite the attack she tried to continue her escape, using her left hand to hold the accelerator, before she crashed the motorcycle, resulting in her right shin being broken in three places.
Suphansa said a number of Ban Mor police officers interviewed her the morning after the attack at a hospital where she was treated for her injuries. But the police concluded that her account was not valid because she was still in shock.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/23/headlines/headlines_30030039.php
mdechgan
23-03-07, 01:11 AM
Just amazing.
The cops here are just a waste of uniforms.
They can't do anything for real crimes but eagerly accept money for traffic violations.
Would anyone believe that this might not even make it to court? Its gonna be word against word while the cop probably has more friends in high places.
Yes my friends Thailand is still a third world country with massive corruption.
The cop in question was apparently on Khun Sarayud's late night TV talkshow last night trying to say it was all an accident. And it seems he took in a few people. Now, he does of course have every right to defend himself in court, but I'd say this was a monumental bad decision from Khun Sarayud. Court is the place to sort out these issues, particularly when an already priviledged member of society is involved.
But as we wait for the justice system to sort this case out, I think we have every right to ask why it is that policemen are continually caught in suspicious circumstances. When such policemen are convincingly found innocent, it is still obvious that they are often unsuited to the job because of the ease with which they get themselves into situations in which their professional integrity is compromised.
But I suppose in fairness to Sarayud, TV has become the vehicle of justice-seekers because the police, judicial and penal systems have long been so ridden with bad practice and downright evil.
I only wish I could relate to you a story about similar abuses, but in many ways a policeman who has been sacked after years of such abuses is an even more dangerous person than before. I don't want his victims to suffer any further. I doubt he will ever be adequately punished.
mdechgan
23-03-07, 06:43 PM
Actually the lady was on a show last wednesday night which I saw.
If she didn't appear on the show my guess is that she would have never received any justice.
Its amazing the cops were arrested on Thursday the day after the show aired.
Still though, I think the cop is guilty. If not guilty of the actual crime itself he is surely guilty of being in that position in the first place and is guilty of the cover up afterwards.
Provincial police 'covering up officer's assault'
By Heamakarn Sricharatchanya
A karaoke singer travelled 100 kilometres from Saraburi province to Bangkok to ask for justice from National Police Chief Seripisuth Temiyavej, alleging that a drunken police officer and his two friends chopped off her arm after she refused their order to sit with them at a food shop.
The 24-year-old Supansa Wichanand, with her right arm amputated and broken leg in a cast, arrived at the Royal Thai Police office on Wednesday to hand a letter to Pol Gen Seripisuth. Her petition asked the national police chief to give her a fair hearing and justice.
In the letter, she accused Pol Lance Corporal Nirut Thammasap, a squad leader of Ban Mo district police, and his two companions for putting her in this condition with a brutal, late-night attack almost a month ago.
Ms Supansa, a factory worker who came to Supanburi after a fight with her family a few days earlier, claimed that she had filed a complaint to the police in Ban Mo district but they failed to act.
According to police spokesman Pol Lt Gen Ronarong Yangyuen, Ms Supansa, a singer at the Nong Reejah Karaoke karaoke pub in Ban Mo district, was approached by the three men when she was having dinner alone at a food stall after work on Feb 25. The three were drinking alcohol when they spotted her.
According to the victim, the three came over to her table and verbally harassed her. Unhappy with their actions, she scolded them before walking out of the stall to her parked motorcycle outside.
The three men followed her and grabbed her motorcycle key. They told her to go sing with them in a karaoke room in the pub but she refused.
Pol L/C Nirut then promised her that he would not do anything to harm her. He showed her his police identification card, a walkie-talkie, and a gun. But Ms Supansa still refused to follow them and asked for her key back.
The three yelled back at her angrily. Pol L/C Nirut called her a "bitch," she claimed, and shouted after her that she "would get what she was asking for."
Ms Supansa got on her motorcycle heading home. She got about two kilometres from the food stall before she realised that she was being chased by the three men on two motorbikes.
Nirat Kongtham, 23, then raised a Sparta (parang, or machete-like knife) and chopped off her right arm, she claimed. Pol L/C Nirut and his other friend Prasarn Boondok, 25, together with Mr Nirat then fled the scene.
Ms Supansa said she was trying to control her motorcycle using her left arm while the right arm was bleeding. She could only go 15 metres away before losing control and fell on to the road. Her right leg, which was caught in a wheel, was broken into three pieces.
Ms Supansa, a native of Ang Thong province, was rushed to hospital by villagers. She filed a complaint at Ban Mo police station the next day. Police investigator who took the case claimed the she had "lost self-possession and was not in a position to testify."
She claimed police there tried to treat the case as an accident.
After Ms Supansa’s visit, Pol Gen Seripisuth set up a police team to investigate the case and sacked Pol L/C Nirut on Thursday. He also ordered the superintendent of Ban Mo and police in charge of the case to be transferred to another unit.
Police charged the three men with attempted murder and causing severe bodily harm for others. All three denied the charges.
The three went to a police station in Saraburi to officially register their innocent plea on Thursday. Pol L/C Nirut claimed that he was not involved in the case and would testify in court while Mr Nirat, the man who was claimed to have cut off the arm, claimed that Ms Supansa was the one asking to join their table and later had an accident herself.
“It was her own accident,” said Mr Nirat, who claimed what Ms Supansa said was nothing but a lie. “She (Ms Supansa) came to us, asking us to pay her 500,000 baht or else she would file a complaint with police.”
Dr Danai Turiyanont, director of Phra Phuttabat hospital in Saraburi, refuted Mr Nirat’s claim in a radio interview Friday morning. He said Ms Supansa’s wound resulted from a cut from a sharp object, which was unlikely to be caused by an accident that usually leaves bruises and cracks of bones.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=117624
BangkokPundit
24-03-07, 06:46 PM
The cop in question was apparently on Khun Sarayud's late night TV talkshow last night trying to say it was all an accident. And it seems he took in a few people. Now, he does of course have every right to defend himself in court, but I'd say this was a monumental bad decision from Khun Sarayud. Court is the place to sort out these issues, particularly when an already priviledged member of society is involved.
But as we wait for the justice system to sort this case out, I think we have every right to ask why it is that policemen are continually caught in suspicious circumstances. When such policemen are convincingly found innocent, it is still obvious that they are often unsuited to the job because of the ease with which they get themselves into situations in which their professional integrity is compromised.
But I suppose in fairness to Sarayud, TV has become the vehicle of justice-seekers because the police, judicial and penal systems have long been so ridden with bad practice and downright evil.
I only wish I could relate to you a story about similar abuses, but in many ways a policeman who has been sacked after years of such abuses is an even more dangerous person than before. I don't want his victims to suffer any further. I doubt he will ever be adequately punished.
From what I am told the new Police Chief is not adverse to making enemies and trampling on people's toes. We will see if he has the political support to push this case forward.
If the person who makes the allegations is allowed to go on a show and put her case forward, I think the alleged suspect should be able to do so as well. Preferably, the interviewer will ask the tough questions and point out any inconsistencies, if any, of both. I really don't want to see if the situation where people who accuse others of crimes are the only ones allowed to put their view across. Even if the interviewer doesn't ask the tough questions, other media outlets can.
I don't really think the court is the best place in Thailand to sort out all of these issues particularly when you are talking about police or military officers. The matter wouldn't get to court without public and media pressure. Media coverage can also lead to new information and witnesses who might be fearful of coming out. I share some of your concerns about the media, but in Thailand and give the facts of the case, media coverage of this case is welcome.
The court's role is to decide whether any law has been broken. The standard of proof needed to fire someone is much lower than that needed to convict someone. There might not be enough evidence to convict him, but there might be enough evidence to kick him out of the police.
If newspaper reports are correct, the police officer's story of a truck causing her crash don't hold up as apparently the cut was a clean cut. Would doctors speak out if there was no media coverage.
This was tucked away in a report on the Malaysian PM:
Meanwhile, the Campaign for Human Rights Committee (CHRC) urged the government to launch a further investigation into the disappearance of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit.
CHRC coordinator Metha Maskao said alleged police brutality against five suspects in the weapons robbery at the 4th military development unit in Narathiwat's Cho Airong district in 2004 might have links with Mr Somchai's disappearance.
He said the missing Muslim lawyer, who represented the five Muslim suspects, had sent to the government a letter complaining about the alleged abuse of the five suspects from Cho Airong on March 11, 2004, the day before Mr Somchai went missing.
Mr Somchai also claimed that 10 police officers, including generals, had knowledge of the alleged abuse aimed at forcing confessions from the suspects.
Mr Somchai went missing on Ramkhamhaeng road on March 12, 2004.
Mr Metha suggested the government launch a further investigation based on what could be potential evidence, including photos published in newspapers and formal inquiry reports on Mr Somchai's disappearance.
Some of the policemen convicted of charges in connection with Mr Somchai's disappearance were believed to have acted on "orders"from their superiors because they were not in direct conflict with the lawyer.
On Thursday, the National Counter Corruption Commission named a subcommittee to investigate assistant police chief Panupong Singhara na Ayudhya and other policemen accused of involvement in the alleged physical abuse of the five Muslim suspects.
In a related development, two police officers acquitted of charges in connection with the disappearance of Mr Somchai - Pol Lt-Col Chadchai Liamsanguan and Pol Lt-Col Sinchai Nimpunyakampong - were among 250 police who will be transferred from the Crime Suppression Division to new posts in the provinces.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=117631
Featured frontpage today:
http://www.2bangkok.com
Police extortion? March 25, 2007
A reader reports: "Hi, you can use the pictures and story about police extortion from my blog. Just quote me as Michael". http://rastrup.wordpress.com/2007/03/17/police-extort-tourists-in-bangkok/
Police extort tourists in Bangkok
March 17th, 2007
At 3 o’clock yesterday Saturday, I walked at the walkover from Discovery Center to MBK and National Stadium Sky train station.
I saw five police officers who are supposed to act as extra eyes against terrorists, who might intend to place bombs at MBK, Discovery and the National Stadium Sky Train station in center Bangkok.
http://rastrup.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/corrupt-police-at-mbk-extort-2-malay-tourists-2.jpg
[Corrupt police officers extort 2000 baht from a Malay tourist]
But these officers were not the least interested in watching suspected bombers. They were instead all too busy with their own little extortion business towards tourists.
Right when I came by, they stopped 2 Malaysian tourists one of them smoking as he walked, and fined him 2.000 baht (350 kroner) for smoking in the free air.
The Malaysians were disturbed as there are no signs where so ever prohibiting smoking in open air.
But scared of the treat of be taken to the police station, they paid 2000 baht as demanded by the police.
http://rastrup.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/corrupt-police-at-mbk-extort-2-malay-tourists.jpg
[You can’t take photos of extortion]
I took pictures of it, and the police tried to stop me, until I showed my Thai Press card. They now got very nervous and paid back the extorted money to the Malaysians.
Unnecessary to mentioned how happy they were that I happened to come by.
With all the trouble of terror in the southern provinces, bomb treats in Bangkok, travel warnings from embassies of crime at Koh Samui and the awful haze in the north. The least thing we need is to scare the remaining tourists away from Thailand with fake fines and extortion.
Especially not the Malays who now are vanishing from the southern provinces.
mdechgan
25-03-07, 11:59 PM
Is there a law against smoking in public?
I heard of one but wasn't really sure.
Is there a law against throwing cigarettes away or something?
I got a fine for throwing my cigarette away on the street on silom about a few years ago.
500baht fine. But I wasn't sure about the laws at the time.
Well the article seems to doubt there is any such law about public smoking, but last I heard there was a 2,000 Baht fine for discarding nub-ends on the ground. I have heard that officers are much tougher on tourists and expats with this law than they are on locals. It sounds like your piece of printed purple paper went to the policeman's benevolent fund. ;-)
Note that the following Daily News outtake from our frontpage (http://www.2bangkok.com) appears to conflict with The Nation report - further down - on who actually ended up as part of the official bodycount:
http://www.2bangkok.com/07/news01.jpg
Suspected drug dealers - Daily News, April 13, 2007
Police arrested suspected drug dealers at the Living Room apartment building in Dindaeng. Two others (bottom) were shot dead.
Army anti-narcotics agent held after deadly shootout
The major wounded during a police drug bust in Bangkok is an Army anti-narcotics agent running an illicit drug syndicate in the strife-torn South, Metropolitan Police chief Lt-General Adisorn Nonsee said yesterday.
Major Chanont Chinnawong and his alleged accomplices, Sukhum Juajaemjan and Withoon Niyakij, have been charged with possessing drugs with intent to sell, murder of an officer on duty, attempted murder of officers on duty and possession of firearms without a permit. This combination of offences carries the death penalty.
A gunfight on Wednesday night in the Living Room Apartments in Din Daeng district saw two detectives killed - Lance Corporal Sawai Arjnongwa, who died at the scene, and Sgt-Major Manoj Srilakhorn, who was pronounced dead after undergoing brain surgery.
Phanom La-orthae, a fourth suspect, was shot dead and found lying on the balcony of room 305 of the building. Lieutenant Sarit Aksorn, who took part in the bust, was wounded during the gunfight but is now out of intensive care.
The four police are part of an anti-narcotics team attached to the investigation subdivision under Metropolitan Police Division 1. The raid was carried out with the help of Din Daeng police.
Adisorn said Chanont had long trafficked drugs in Pattani and neighbouring Yala and Narathiwat provinces, capitalising on his expertise and status as a military narcotics suppression officer.
Chanont was familiar with the three provinces and always talked himself out of vehicle searches at police checkpoints every time he was pulled over, Adisorn said.
Supreme Commander General Bunsrang Niampradit said a military investigation had been ordered into Chanont's dealings and he would face both disciplinary and criminal punishment if found guilty.
Chanont is now under heavy police guard in Police General Hospital.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/13/national/national_30031814.php
Senior cop behind an American's abduction
Police are looking for three more suspects, including a senior Thai cop, in connection with the kidnapping of an American businessman who was held for Bt28 million ransom.
Seven suspects including three Thai-American men and three police were already arrested due to the scandal.
An American businessman Mark Stephen Hutchenson, 46, was rescued by police on Thursday after being kidnapping since April 7. Sukhansa, his wife, said four to five men in police uniforms and plain clothes including a Thai-American Nicolas Pruksukkan, who claimed to be FBI, searched their condominium unit and got US$400,000 (Bt14 million) of cash. They kidnapped Hutchenson and asked for another US$800,000 (Bt28 million) of ransom money. She then reported to the police who eventually rescued Hutchenson.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30031858
More disturbing stuff from Pattaya City News:
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_13_04_50_3.htm
Sleepy Police Officer causes traffic chaos on Pattaya Third Road
Here’s a crazy story now from Pattaya Third Road which occured on Thursday Afternoon. Police and rescue workers were called to the location after receiving information of a pick-up which had mysteriously stopped in the middle of the road. The driver was either asleep or in need of medical attention and a gun was spotted on the back seat of the cab. Rescue Workers attempted to rouse the man and after a time he woke up. Police officers spoke with the man who was identified as a Pattaya Police Officer. There was a suspicion he was intoxicated, however it was decided that he should be escorted home for some much needed sleep. We are unsure if the case was officially logged and if disciplinary action by Pattaya Police will be taken.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/13_04_3.jpg
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_14_04_50_3.htm
Two Soldiers charged with drink driving after angry incident at Police Checkpoint
On Friday Night, two Soldiers were arrested at a Police Checkpoint in Soi Beokeow who were accused of attempted assault on a Police Officer. Three men were arrested, including a Colonel who was stopped as he drove along the Soi. There were two low ranking soldiers accompanying the Colonel who were thought to be the main instigators of the alleged attempted assault. It was also found that they were both over the legal alcohol limit and the altercation begun when the two low ranking soldiers refused a breath test at the checkpoint. The Police Officer at the center of this incident is Police Senior Sergeant Major Pakdee who told us that the two young soldiers showed aggression towards him when he was undertaking his duties at the checkpoint. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sirichai from Pattaya Police Station took up the case and decided to charge the two junior soldiers with drink driving. We expect further disciplinary action by the army to be taken in due course.
But remain entirely skeptical that it will ever happen. :rolleyes:
Does anyone know anything about this organization that can invoke three thousand supporters on 60 buses and get Ayutthaya's police all in a complete tizwoz? I'm just wondering if it is an alternative name for Thammakaya. I sort of think not however, as 3,000 Thammakayas on the move almost certainly would give the junta the jitters:
03 June 2007
Ayutthaya police intercepted buses transporting more than 3,000 Universal Energy members
The Ayutthaya Provincial Police and the Highway Police intercepted as many as 60 buses transporting around 3,000 people into Bangkok today, later finding that they were members of a psychic power group making way back home from meditation practice.
The 60 coaches were traveling in a row along the Paholyothin (พลโยธิน) road towards Bangkok, when they were intercepted in Wangnoi (วังน้อย) district of Ayutthaya province about 65 kilometers away from Bangkok. Police found about 3,000 passengers, most of whom women aged between 40 and 60, dressed in white, yellow and blue. Inspection of their I.D. cards revealed they were all residents of Bangkok and its peripheral provinces. The passengers told officials they were members of the Universal Energy group and they have been participating in a group activity at the universal energy practice center in Kangkhoi (แก่งคอย) district of Saraburi. They asserted that they were unrelated to any political movements and they also disagreed with using masses of people to exert pressure and make bargains.
Ayutthaya Police Commander Nares Nanthachoti (นเรศ นันทโชติ) said comprehensive inspection found that the 60 buses were indeed carrying Bangkok residents home and were unrelated to political movements.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter02
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255006030030
Court sends taxi driver to 25 years in jail and Bt50 fine
The Criminal Court sentenced on Thursday a taxi driver who seriously injured an IBM employee during a holdup in October to 25 years in jail and a Bt50 fine.
The 41-year-old cabbie Worapol Sirichai - charged with attempted murder and armed robbery - was at first handed a life sentence plus a Bt100 in fine. But during his confession, he claimed he needed Bt20,000 to repay a footballing debt or he would be assaulted by debt collectors.
This prompted the court to half his sentence to 25 years and a Bt50 fine.
On October 5 last year, Worapol picked up Panneerat Chinbuathong, a 24-year-old IBM worker to take her to Pathum Thani. While they were at an Asoke-Din Daeng traffic light intersection, Worapol threatened Panneerat at knife point and demanded her handbag. She refused, so he stabbed her twice in the chest.
Panneerat managed to get out of the car and call for help.
Worapol fled the scene and was later arrested on October 9 at a relative's home in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/07/headlines/headlines_30036269.php
Stephen Cleary
10-06-07, 01:43 AM
According to a Thai language source i read just yesterday - the whopping 50 baht fine was due to 'carrying a knife in public'!
The Royal Thai Army apparently continues to harbor huge numbers of completely undisciplined soldiers and criminals in its ranks. Whatever led up to this attack, the RTA probably only has itself to blame by allowing its soldiers to constantly get away with such attacks without fear of any real punishment. The Prime Minister should be thoroughly ashamed of this totally lame excuse. Many are aware that the culprits (at least the uniformed ones) will almost certainly be let out of a back door when the public gaze is averted. Many also believe that the RTA does encourage its soldiers to act like hooligans:
Tourists beaten by 30-man gang
Police arrested a Thai soldier for participating in an attack by 30 men on three British tourists as they ate at a food stall north of the Thai capital, police said Thursday (July 19th).
Thomas Donald Patrick suffered a cracked skull after he and two friends were attacked in Nakorn Sawan province, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) north of Bangkok, said police Col. Pranom Manmuang.
A group of about 30 Thai men, including a soldier, began kicking and punching the three Britons as they dined at a roadside food stall Sunday (July 15th) morning, Pranom said.
An arrested attacker confessed that he was in the group that attacked the British tourists including Patrick – a staff coach of the London-based Tottenam Hotspur youth team.
He said his group did not intend to hurt Patrick but the fighting erupted after a conflict between his group and Patrick’s Thai friends.
Responding to questions about the attack, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the incident must be thoroughly investigated by police and the army.
"I believe it will not affect the image of the Thai army as it was more of an isolated incident that involved individuals. The Thai army does not encourage their men to act like hooligans," Surayud said.
Patrick and two other men - William Paul Stone and Francis Benjamin Peter - were taken to a hospital. But the same group of attackers stormed the hospital room and continued to beat them until police arrived, Pranom said.
Pranom said Patrick's condition was stable, adding the two other Britons were slightly injured.
On Thursday police arrested and charged Sgt Chinaphong Prakobketkorn and another Thai man, Nattapan Jirapong, with assault. The suspects face a maximum seven years in jail if found guilty.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120320
mdechgan
20-07-07, 11:27 AM
I saw this on the news just the other day.
The man's father is a police offiver in London.
He was quoted about asking the police why didn't the police do anything when there was an officer on the scene. On the closed circuit video camera in teh hospital one can see an officer walking and looking in the lobby when teh gang members stormed the hospital. No one helped this poor guy. The father also said he will take his son back to London for "proper" medical care.
I would too! Who wants to check into a Thai hospital just to get beaten up even more?
It is a shame to theThai society, police, and army that this event occured. These army people probably have so much testosterone built upped that they have to take it out on a white guy 30+ in all. The policeman was so fat and scared he just froze and couldn't do anything. If I were the English ambassador i would request to the Thai government tht justice be served or put Thailand on the "red flag" list for British tourist destinations.
Just a pure shame. What is the society coming to? First a benz brat and now this?
The Asian Human Rights Commission has issued a statement about the conduct of the security forces in the south that also touches on the Nakon Sawan incident:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=15948&postcount=34
khunmarc
06-08-07, 09:53 PM
Less-than-purr-fect Thai police to sport Hello Kitty armbands as punishment
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
BANGKOK, Thailand: Thai police officers who break police rules will be forced to wear hot pink armbands featuring "Hello Kitty," the Japanese icon of cute, as a mark of shame, a senior officer said Monday.
Police officers caught littering, parking in a prohibited area, or arriving late — among other misdemeanors — will also be forced to stay in the division office with the deputy chief all day, said Police Col. Pongpat Chayaphan. The striking armband features Sanrio's Hello Kitty sitting atop two hearts.
"Simple warnings no longer work. This new twist is expected to make them feel guilt and shame and prevent them from repeating the offense, no matter how minor," said Pongpat, acting chief of the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok.
:eek:
what about good old fashion pink slip instead???LOL I wonder if corruption is in the list and sleeping in the so called police boxes??
what a childish way to deal with the problem .. has to make you wonder what idiot think of stuff like that
...because which self-respecting officer wants to be seen wearing such an armband? :D :D :D (Even in Thailand.)
http://bangkokpost.com/News/060807_front.jpg
Turning pink with shame (http://bangkokpost.com/News/06Aug2007_news02.php) - Bangkok Post, 06 August 2007
WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM
A pink ''Hello Kitty'' armband wrapped around a khaki-clad arm is shouting for attention at the police Crime Suppression Division. It is a new disciplinary measure introduced especially for police investigators who refuse to play by the rules. Starting this week, the warning will come in the form of the popular Japanese cat cartoon sitting on a heart on a pink background.
''The same old warnings no longer work for some officers,'' CSD acting chief Pongpat Chayaphan said. ''This new approach is intended to engender a feeling of guilt and discourage them from repeating the offence.'' Pol Gen Pongpat said 10 armbands were available. In addition to wearing it, a first-time offender must accompany the officer rostered as deputy chief of the day. That means walking to all parts of the CSD office, and being seen wearing the armband. The wearers are prohibited from disclosing their offence with other officers or discussing the armband.
In the case of a second offence, a panel comprising 18 warrant officers will decide on an appropriate punishment, which could be standing guard, or detention, or even a harsher penalty. This would have to be approved by the CSD chief. Pol Gen Pongpat said police must practise self discipline. Otherwise, their behaviour could get out of hand to the point of abusing the law or mistreating the public. ''Like a thief, once the first crime is committed the next one is always a worse offence,'' he said.
Offences liable to earn an officer the pink Kitty include failing to report for duty, parking in a prohibited area, fighting, or being the subject of a complaint about poor service. Policemen see it as a bitter pill to swallow. Most agree it would be quite embarrassing to have to wear the pink armband, which stands out in vivid contrast against their uniform.
mdechgan
07-08-07, 11:55 AM
Instead of an armband they should wear an entire outfit.
Strip the badge and make them wear pink pants and kitty shirt, better yet embroider pinkness on the uniform so that it can never be washed off for the entire career of the guy.
Is this copyright infringement?:
If Kitty doesn't say "hello"...
BANGKOK, Aug 7 (TNA)- The police officer who came up with an avant-garde idea of wrapping a pink "Hello Kitty" band around the arm of an undisciplined policeman said Tuesday he would resort to a Thai cartoon in case the copyright owner of the Japanese cat cartoon objected to it.
Pol Maj Viraprat Wongrat of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) who initiated the Hello Kitty armbands said the "pink disciplinary measure" was meant to tame CSD police officials who commit petty offences such as indifference to perform their duties, parking their cars at no-parking zones or littering.
He said he chose the Hello Kitty cartoon on a pink armband in the belief that any policemen compelled to wear them would feel embarassed and refrain from committing offences.
The girlish armband will be imposed only at the CSD. An undisciplined policeman is required to wear the armband for one day and is assigned to a special duty that day by keeping an eye on the behaviour of his peers in the CSD. -(TNA)
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=30920
Featured Frontpage again today:
http://www.2bangkok.com
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/adc/10220411A~Garfield-Never-Wrong-Posters.jpg
http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070810/070810_hellokitty_vmed_9a.standard.jpg
[Photo: AP - Yasushi Ukigaya]
THAI POLICE TOO MACHO FOR HELLO KITTY ARMBANDS
Posted: Friday, August 10, 2007 12:17 PM
By Ian Williams, NBC News correspondent
I always found it hard to imagine Thai policemen wearing Hello Kitty armbands as a mark of shame for wayward officers.
Evidently most policemen did too, because Thailand's top cops decided Friday to abandon the idea.
It seems there was a rebellion in the macho ranks, as well as outrage on Hello Kitty Web sites.
Yasushi Ukigaya / AP
A police officer in Bangkok showed off the Hello Kitty armband that was going to be a used as a disciplinary measure on Monday. The police have since abandoned the idea.
"You have to understand that it's embarrassing for our 30- to 40-year-old policemen to be made to wear this girly, pink armband," conceded police Maj. Weeraprach Wongrat, of the Crime Suppression Division, whose idea it was in the first place.
"It also attracted so much attention – a lot of praise, but a lot of criticism," he said Friday. The Thai police found themselves blasted by Hello Kitty lovers for using their cute icon as a means of punishment.
"We are concerned about the image of police as much as that of Hello Kitty," Weeraprach said. "We decided to drop the plan."
He said they would be looking at other designs.
That plan had been to order offending policemen – and most police officers here are men – to wear a pink armband with a Hello Kitty face and a pair of linked hearts as a disciplinary measure – if the officer was late to work, parks in the wrong place or left his desk while on duty.
"It was meant to be a moral armband for our police," said Weeraprach, "to teach them not to overlook minor mistakes. The armband reminded them that they were being watched." A mark of humiliation, in other words.
But now it is Weeraprach who is a little humiliated.
The Crime Suppression Division has a new commander, Weeraprach's boss, who trained with the American Secret Service and the Canadian police, and who has pledged to modernize a force that has been accused of widespread corruption and extrajudicial killings.
The new commander is said to be a believer in behavioral science and in the "broken window theory," according to which small changes can have large effects. He saw pink armbands as a start. Now it's back to the drawing board.
http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/08/10/312420.aspx
Police still have a poor image: poll
Published on August 26, 2007
Citizens still see police in a negative light, believing that they are under the sway of powerful politicians, while officers cite the lack of hi-tech equipment, budget crunches and low salaries as obstacles to police operations, according to poll results released yesterday.
The public opinion survey on police structural reform received valid responses from 8,613 members of the public and police officers nationwide from January to July.
Noppadol Kannikar, director of Assumption University's ABAC Poll Research Centre, said most people held a dim view of the police.
They cited police being under powerful politicians (87 per cent), discriminating while providing services to the public (77 per cent), extorting money and requesting bribes (72 per cent) and using money to buy desirable transfers and positions (67.5 per cent). People with direct experience in police work at police stations in 24 provinces were asked for negative and positive impressions.
On the negative side, they noted unfriendliness (33 per cent), understaffing with on-duty officers (23 per cent), lack of hi-tech tools (27 per cent), threats against them (16 per cent), inappropriate behaviour such as drinking and gambling (15 per cent), asking for bribes (10 per cent) and beating suspects (8 per cent).
On the positive side, they answered friendliness (79 per cent), good service/advice (74 per cent), hard-working officers (68 per cent), fair police work (61 per cent) and timely access to crime scenes (60 per cent).
Aspects that the surveyed police officers wanted to be reformed include a payment hike for low-ranking officers (95.5 per cent), adjustment of police investigators' salaries to be the equivalent of public prosecutors' pay (82 per cent) and internal adjustments for missions such as transnational crimes (80 per cent).
On problems working with supervisors, 57.5 per cent of the polled police said they gave benefits to supervisors in exchange for positions and career survival, 57 per cent thought there were too many supervisors and 55 per cent had problems with discrimination from their supervisor.
About obstacles in police units' operations, the polled officers cited the lack of hi-tech and effective tools (98 per cent), overall budget shortage (96 per cent) and unrealistic budget allocation for police tasks (95 per cent). They also cited the low salary that was not in line with real living conditions and expenses (93 per cent) and the staff shortage to handle the workload (88 per cent).
Noppadol's comments were made during his visit to Chiang Mai along with General Wasit Dejkunchornto, chair of the police reform panel, to gather views on the police reform plan.
Wasit said reform was necessary because the force centralised tasks, had a long chain of command and used a transfer system that still disregarded justice. Salaries are not commensurate with workloads while low-ranking officers are disheartened by having no chance to become commissioned officers, he said.
The reform plan would smooth police operations and allow more public participation in monitoring the police, he said.
The Nation
CHIANG MAI
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/26/national/national_30046526.php
'Drug war' panel outlines its work
Published on August 30, 2007
In its first meeting yesterday, an independent committee looking into 2,569 drug-related killings during the first Thaksin Shinawatra government laid out its work agenda and officially appointed heads of six sub-panels.
The 12-member committee, headed by former attorney-general Khanit na Nakhon, repeated that it was authorised to prosecute anyone found to be involved in the killings and would mainly perform a fact-finding role and work out compensatory solutions for relatives of the victims.
Former senator Kraisak Chonhavan, who heads the sub-panel on research and international public relations, said it was better late than never for the committee to be set up.
"The set-up of the Khanit na Nakhon committee signifies the government's sincerity and determination to sort out human rights violations in Thailand," he said.
Kraisak said fewer than 100 complaints had been lodged by relatives of victims - but that reflected public lack of faith in the justice system.
" If the investigation can bring the wrongdoers to justice in only one of two cases, that would mean a historic success."
Narcotics Control Board chief Kitti Limchaikij heads fact-finding Sub-panel A, Department of Special Investigations deputy Tharit Phengdit heads fact-finding Sub-panel B, Justice permanent secretary Charan Phakdi-thanakul heads the sub-panel on finding those responsible. Deputy permanent secretary Kittiphong Kittayarak heads the sub-panel on compensatory solutions, and Thammasat University deputy rector Udom Ratamarit heads the panel on preventative measures. Each will have 15-20 members.
Anan Paengnoy
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/30/national/national_30047048.php
Lawyers cry foul over drugs panel
Published on September 3, 2007
Lawyers for deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday called for the resignation of two key members of an independent investigative committee looking into alleged systematic human rights violations by police in the "drugs war" in 2003.
Wichit Plangsrisakul called the appointment of Kraisak Chonhavan as a member of the committee as "unfair" since he was a former senator who took to the stage during the protest by the People's Alliance for Democracy to oust Thaksin.
He also joined with other former senators to petition the Constitution Court as part of the impeachment proceedings against Thaksin on charges of asset concealment. The court rejected the petition.
Wichit also questioned the appointment of Justice Ministry permanent secretary Charan Pakdithanakul since he was sued by Thaksin for libel over an interview about the summary execution of drug suspects. Charan has authority over the Department of Special Investigation, which may have to investigate further in order to wrap up the case.
"Charan both sits on the investigative committee and heads the department which wraps up the investigation. Where is the justice?'' he said.
Wichit said although the committee had the responsibility to report its investigation to the government and not to accuse anyone, the public may be misled by the outcome of the investigation. "We hope that both have ethics and conscience and end their role in the committee,'' he said.
Wichit called on the committee to clearly state its role and policy, and whether its only responsibility was to analyse the information and report to the government. He said police must take recourse to criminal law over the summary execution of 2,500 people and the cases must rest with the court.
Kesinee Taengkhio
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/03/politics/politics_30047450.php
And the following move is likely to make Kraisak Chonhavanlook even more biased:
Boost for Democrats
September 3, 2007
Kraisak Chonhavan and other former senators for the Northeast have agreed to join the Democrat Party and contest MP seats in the region in the general election, secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday.
Suthep said Kraisak's group had agreed to join the Democrats because they had similar platforms.
Initially, Kraisak would be a key person to develop new political leaders in the Northeast, he said, adding that Democrat deputy chief adviser Banyat Bantadtan wanted politicians from the region.
The Democrat Party's vote base is in the South, while its weakest region is the Northeast, which was the former Thai Rak Thai's vote base.
Kraisak's joining the party would make politics in the Northeast "more colourful", Suthep said.
He said Kraisak's group, which includes former Yasothon senator Somboon Thongburan, former Sakon Nakhon senator Maleerat Kaewka, former Nakhon Ratchasima senator Pichet Pattanachote and former Buri Ram senator Karun Sai-ngam, has supporters in many northeastern provinces.
Bancha Khaengkhan
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/03/politics/politics_30047451.php
Of course, it's all the fault of the 'Old Ginger' government for being too soft on the drugs trade!;)
Or was it the fault of the Thaksin administration for failing to shoot enough suspected small-bit drug dealers? ;)
Of course, some might say that the one truly big mistake was not getting around to shooting enough of the real lynchpins of the local drugs trade. Not that this would have been advisable, as it would have meant dispatching quite a few well-heeled and gung-ho nationalists of both TRT and Junta persuasion. Out of the question, of course!:
Drug cases on rise since Thaksin's 'war'
Published on September 3, 2007
A deputy chief of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) said yesterday the number of drug cases during the interim government's term had risen by about 30 per cent compared with those during the Thaksin administration.
Pitthaya Jinawat said the war on drugs by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra dramatically reduced the number of drug-related cases in 2004 and 2005.
Thaksin is now under investigation by a special committee over 2,500 deaths of drug suspects during his get-tough campaign.
But Pitthaya said law-enforcement officers might have wrongly interpreted the policy and resorted to extra-judicial killings as a measure to deal with suspects.
"At that time, the government wanted drug suspects to be stopped permanently and government agencies might have thought that killings were a way to have them permanently stopped," Pitthaya said.
He was speaking at a symposium on the drug problem at a Bangkok hotel.
He said before Thaksin declared the war on drugs in 2003, the abuse of methamphetamine was widespread.
There were up to 200,000 drug-related cases a year from 2001 to 2002 but after the Thaksin government used drastic measures to deal with the problem, the number fell by 75 per cent in 2004 and 2005.
In 2003, the Thaksin government sent about 315,000 drug abusers into rehabilitation compared with 40,000 a year earlier, Pitthaya said.
He said the Thaksin government also brought down the number of people suspected of getting involved with the drug trade in villages.
Pitthaya said the number of drug cases rose by 25 per cent in 2006 and 2007. He said political instability and fatigue on the part of police might have contributed to the increase.
He noted the Surayud government was also serious about drug suppression, which could be seen by the fact that the prime minister chaired the ONCB himself, prompting military leaders and the justice and interior ministers to attend meetings.
But the current government was more prudent in handling the suppression because it worried about the extra-judicial killings of the Thaksin government, he added.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/03/politics/politics_30047449.php
The mind truly boggles as to whom the two bombs might have been intended. Let us know if you have received any inkling that this was (or was not) part of a political plot:
Arrest warrant sought for a business woman over car blast
Nakhon Ratchasima- Confident with the 'solid evidence' they have, police requested on Monday an arrest warrant for a business woman over her alleged involvement in a Nakhon Ratchasima car explosion, that killed the driver and injured two army officials.
On August 23, two bombs exploded inside of a Toyota pickup truck belonging to influential businesswoman Somjit Thiparphorn, that killed Thanakorn Neelmont who drove the vehicle to an area near the Provincial Governor Residence.
Police suspect Thanakorn might have been trying to plant three explosives to take another person's life when two of the bombs accidentally exploded.
Nakhon Ratchasima deputycommander Pol Colonel Pongdech Phrommijit, yesterday said the police had gathered sufficient evidence and had requested Nakhon Ratchasima Court to issue an arrest warrant for Somjit on charges of illegally possessing explosives and a gun.
Pongdech were now certain that Sonjit was involved in the case a