The other face of our police force

The main duty and responsibility of the police is to enforce the law to ensure public peace and order. Hence, they were once called "phu pitak santiras" which literally means the protector of public peace. Somehow, this calling has faded from the memory of most of us and they are simply called "tamruat" in Thai these days, probably because most no longer hold to the belief they are peace officers.

Clearly, Pol Lt-Gen Kamronwit Toopkrachang, the recently appointed commissioner of metropolitan police, believes that police should also occasionally flex their muscle and give their superior moral support if and whenever he or she wants it. 

So when the legal team of the opposition Democrat Party threatened to petition the national police chief, Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong, to set up a committee to investigate him for allowing a fugitive, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to pin an additional star on his shoulder to symbolise his promotion, Pol Lt-Col Kamronwit declared that he would personally explain things to Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva at the party's head office on Tuesday.

He also called on his subordinates at the Metropolitan Police Bureau to converge at the party's headquarters in a show of moral support.

But about 100 supporters of the Democrat Party also gathered at its head office on Tuesday in a show of moral support for Mr Abhisit. They booed and jeered whenever a police vehicle went by.  Some red-shirts also showed up, and they were booed as well.

Dozens of policemen were deployed in front of the party's offices, ostensibly to ensure peace and order. It was reported that many more police were heading to the scene to join their superior. However Pol Lt-Gen Kamronwit  suddenly cancelled his visit.

Meanwhile, Democrat deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij had posted a photograph on his Facebook page showing a group of policemen riding on a truck believed to be heading for the party's head office.

The former finance minister also wrote, "Today, Bangkokians must take care of themselves. Police were mobilised to put pressure on us at the Democrat Party. They [the police] have become a political force. Instead of doing their job of looking after the people, they are intimidating their superior's opponents."

Thanks to the show of commonsense on the part of Pol Lt-Gen Kamronwit, or whoever, a possible confrontation between the police and the Democrat supporters was averted. It would have severely tarnished the image of the police force, and especially the metroplitan police commander's image.  

Of course, police, as individuals, have the right to demonstrate in public, but not in full uniform and during their working hours.

The appropriate way for the commissioner to handle this issue is to meet in private with Mr Abhsit, if he still  wishes to see him, or to clarify things to an inquiry panel, if one is actually set up as the Democrats demanded. Calling on his men to to flex their muscle in public is totally inappropriate and unbecoming of a senior police officer.

Share your thoughts

Discussion 1 : 19/09/2012 at 09:09 PM
Of course, police, as individuals, have the right to demonstrate in public, but not in full uniform and during their working hours. How many of them were docked pay for involving themselves in his "personal agenda" ? And just because he or someone above him said , hey maybe this isn`t such a good idea afterall , does that make it ok and righteous because his plan was foiled , they were clearly sent there to intimidate the opposition into capitulating , as he now obviously feels that he is above the law ! Anywhere else , he would be stripped of his rank and demoted !
Discussion 2 : 19/09/2012 at 09:05 PM
Sad to say and I simply look down on every police in Thailand. They appear to me as a good for nothing civil servants. This is not just a view made but 2 to 3 decades ago. To revive this image I think would take a long time.
Discussion 3 : 19/09/2012 at 05:17 PM
The "other" face of our police force? I thought it was the only face?
Discussion 4 : 19/09/2012 at 04:32 PM
There is no defending a police official kissing up to a wanted fugitive, and especially being foolish enough to flaunt it. It's not a legitimate function of the police, or any employee of the police to decide which court convictions or orders they agree with and which they do not. Nothing short of immediate dismissal is appropriate in this case. He is a disgrace to the many Thai Police Officers who do their difficult jobs with honor.
Discussion 5 : 19/09/2012 at 04:28 PM
In 2010 the police in Bangkok clearly showed their political affiliation when they stood by and did nothing to dismantle street barricades, arrest hooligans, and at least try to dissolve the illegal demonstration. But at least at that time they just did nothing, as far as I know they did not help the red mob and their fugitive leader. Now it’s even worse than in 2010: The top police positions are held by Thaksin’s family and friends and they show it openly. And they use their working time to try to intimidate peaceful opponents of the fugitive criminal. Probably the next step will be that the police will just arrest anyone who does not like dear leader. Does any of this have any resemblance with democracy? Disgusting!
Discussion 6 : 19/09/2012 at 04:17 PM
Come and look at Pattaya, the greatest growing Maffia town ln Thailand. The problem is the City Hall and a corrupted Police Force have no control.
Discussion 7 : 19/09/2012 at 04:15 PM
1. The police was not set up to uphold the law but to control the population (particularly political opposition) and to protect the possessions of the elite. 2. It is well known that the democrats are supported by the army while the police tend to support PT. I don't see how Pol Lt-Gen Kamronwit Toopkrachang association with Thaksin is any worse than the Dems association with the military or other "influential" figures.
Discussion 8 : 19/09/2012 at 04:11 PM
I forgot to mention earlier that the fact is that our police force is known to be a 'Business' and not a 'Service' to citizens! Actually the feel and act like the 'masters' of our people! Please note!- I do not complain the police people! I complain the system! I know that there are lots of 'good police' around, but unfortunately those good police people have no future if they do not adjust to the money making 'system' in place!
Discussion 9 : 19/09/2012 at 04:03 PM
Gee I didn't know fugitives can give promotions to Thai police. Since when did police become the next red shirts, being used to support their leaders, trucking them around in show of force. Acts like this are why PTP are unfit to run the country. If this were to happen to a DEM supporting police, imagine the red cheerleaders pointing their fingers, they seem pretty quite now.
Discussion 10 : 19/09/2012 at 03:52 PM
This is simple psychology, Attack a particular group, whether it be Mormons, skinheads or the police, the more they will support each other.
Discussion 11 : 19/09/2012 at 03:51 PM
All this showing up to give moral support, but supporters who themselves seem to distinctly lack morals is beginning to affect the morale of this country.
Discussion 12 : 19/09/2012 at 03:50 PM
There are constant (and correct) calls for the military to stay out of politics. The same should apply to the police. Imagine the outcry if a military officer had acted this way. It has been clear for a while that Khun Thaksin is cultivating the police as a counter weight to the army. This strategy can only end badly - at worst in a confrontation between the two groups
Discussion 13 : 19/09/2012 at 03:26 PM
indeed what were the police thinking of to demonstrate to defend their chief in bangkok ,of his action by associated himself to a known criminal who is on the run and awaiting a prison sentence for his crime .a very poor show by this chief of police and the men who neglected their duties by supporting him,seen by the public as a man who lacks integrity,and should be made accountable
Discussion 14 : 19/09/2012 at 02:46 PM
@discussion 2 - The Royal Thai Police were created in the 1933, a year after the coup that ended the absolute monarchy. It was never a branch of the military, though policemen are exempt from conscription.
Discussion 15 : 19/09/2012 at 02:42 PM
Everyone with more then 2 years education knows and accepts that the police is the root of all our problems! There is no mafia as such in Thailand! We only have our police force! The police knows and often controls everything, ... from casinos, to brothels, to extortion, to human trafficking, to drugs and much more..
Discussion 16 : 19/09/2012 at 01:36 PM
Police only do something if it benefits them financially or it isnt too much trouble .Casinos operate around my area and the police do nothing after being reported .Yes Chuwit as well .
Discussion 17 : 19/09/2012 at 01:31 PM
Nobody has to "Tarnish" the image of the police they do a good job of that every day with the average Thai person. Thai police have always done the bidding of those in power but that situation is getting worse and more obvious over the last year.
Discussion 18 : 19/09/2012 at 01:06 PM
How much bonus did they get ?
Discussion 19 : 19/09/2012 at 01:05 PM
I have always understood that the Thai police were originally set up as a branch of the army to quell internal dissent against the authorities.
Discussion 20 : 19/09/2012 at 01:03 PM
How can anyone say that a truck full of police are "believed" to be headed anywhere, you either know where they are going or you made it up. How can a serious journalist believe that it is possible to tarnish the image of the police?

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