Documentary: 'A fearless police officer' (video)
Paween Pongsirin (Photo: DOCUMENTARY | Thailand's Fearless Cop | 101 East – Al Jazeera English)
This documentary tells the story of Police Major General Paween Pongsirin who investigated human trafficking with Rohingya refugees in 2015, charged a number of high-ranking individuals after investigation, then received death threats and had to flee to Australia.
Rob V. already wrote a story about this in February, from which I take the following as an introduction:
Former Police Major General Paween Pongsirin* is happy and relieved to have been able to tell his story through MP Rangsiman Rome of the Move Forward Party. The former agent investigated the human smuggling of Rohingya migrants and mass graves in which the bodies of dozens of Rohingya were found. Because of his investigation, he received death threats from senior military officers, police officers and civil servants, had to end the investigation early and fled to Australia at the end of 2015, where he asked for asylum.
Paween led an investigation into human trafficking in the southern border region in mid-2015. A camp with hundreds of illegal Rohingya immigrants was discovered in the jungle of Songkhla district and these victims of human trafficking were taken into custody. Upon further investigation, the graves of dozens of Rohingya were found around the camp. The investigation eventually led to the arrest and prosecution of some 100 individuals, including some senior police, army and naval officers. However, he had to abandon his investigation early and this allowed some high-ranking suspects to escape. Instead of a promotion, Paween was nominated - as punishment - for transfer to the southernmost provinces. Paween objected to this and indicated that this would endanger his life, as several suspects from that region were still at large. He also received threats and intimidation from various quarters. Because his opposition to the course of events was not picked up, he resigned and eventually fled to Australia in fear for his life.
The following weekend, Prime Minister Prayuth was asked by the press to comment on these revelations, Prayuth responded irritably: “I didn't make him {Paween} leave, did I? He left of his own accord, didn't he?" and “He should have filed a complaint, there are procedures for this”. When asked if Paween's safety in Thailand was in danger, Prayuth said, “How could someone hurt him? There are laws and rules in this country”. In conclusion, Prayuth said he is not giving anyone a hand over the head and so requested Paween to name any further lawbreakers so that further steps can be taken.
Rob V.'s full story can be found here: https://www.thailandblog.nl/achtergrond/een-verhaal-van-mensensmokkel-en-een-agent-die-zelf-moest-vluchten-voor-zijn-leven/
The documentary:
This report provides a good summary and a personal view of Paween's life. The best man is clearly deeply affected by the bizarre and degrading scenes and the manner of doing things up to the top. This personal approach makes the report extra emotional. If I were in his shoes, I don't know if I would want to show a camera crew my new workplace, he wouldn't be the first to suddenly disappear (also outside Thailand) ...
I hope that Paween can return one day and then clean up his principles and an end to corruption, exploitation and degrading conditions will once again become the norm. Surely that should be feasible?
Two characteristic reactions under the documentary on Youtube:
A Thai woman:
I watched it and was so depressed I cried. I would like a Thai subtitle so that many Thai people will be aware of this. Thank you very much Paween. You give many young people in this country the strength to fight for a country that seems hopeless. We believe there are many who will see you as a role model to fight against the dark forces or to not become the kind of despicable people who did this to you. I want to say that there are many people next to you. When this story becomes history, you will be remembered as a very good cop. You gave us some hope for a better police force. Again thank you very much
Someone else:
After watching this documentary in its entirety, I honestly don't know how to feel. Should I be hopeful now that more people are aware of this? Or should I feel hopeless considering how deeply rooted Thailand's vicious circle of corruption is? I can't imagine how hard it was for Paween to go through such traumatic events. And I'm incredibly happy that he came out of those events alive to tell us his side of the story in 2022.
A man after my own heart. They are certainly there with the police in Thailand, but they are having a hard time and can do little. The money lures and is for many a step that turns out to be irreversible. Once they have ended up in corruption, people are permanently scarred and an honest life is excluded. When he took office, Prayut was the point of contact and the man who would fight corruption. There are examples where this combat had gone well, but apparently a turnaround soon followed and given his remarks to this former General, not much is left of it. He should do his stinking best to clarify this and not leave the initiative to the victims. Hope for change brings life, but hope alone won't happen. Only when the authorities have established their own internal cleaning capacity and an anti-fraud group with specialists from the entire population with far-reaching powers and independently operating units is established, can it provide a certain degree of solace. Extermination will never take place, because people are too different in doings and don'ts and the excesses are and will remain in my view for everyone to see.
That wouldn't surprise, would it? When taking office, the new and illegally come to power leader tries to win souls by tackling evidently corrupt individuals, especially those associated with those who are in the opposition. A nice show but without really cleaning up. Structural changes in the system from bottom to top in the police, army and similar services are not forthcoming. No wonder because the money flows up in Thailand, so there are all kinds of figures high up in the tree with a lot of stripes on the shoulder and impressive pins, excuse me, medals on those nice uniforms, who are not too keen on a general system overhaul. After all, Thailand is a network society where it is extremely important that you know the right people and families, and that you can contribute to further upward flows of money. Floating to the surface purely on your own strength and results is very difficult. Paween indicated in another interview that his refusal to slide envelopes meant that the fast lane for promotion passed him by.
Now corruption, cronyism and so on can never be completely reduced to zero, but the will to really change the system seems to be missing. The laws are sometimes very vaguely written and can sometimes be interpreted by the law in this way, sometimes in this way. The well-known “rule by law” instead of “rule of law”. The man of the many borrowed watches can talk about it. If you are high on the monkey rock, you have to make it very crazy and untenable to experience consequences. Will that big change ever come again? Who knows, if participation, transparency, control and accountability are embraced as core pillars by the various players (legislative, law-making and controlling powers) all the way up to the top.
One could possibly look abroad, various countries have tried to find a solution with dilemmas such as profound corruption. The first one that comes to mind is a complete overhaul of the police in Ukraine a year or so ago. My hats off to anyone who puts the public interest above personal interest or fills pockets in any way. I'd rather see blackmailers, pickpockets and those fond of authoritarian behavior disappear to a position where they can no longer harm their fellow citizens. When will Thailand take serious steps towards it?
I can relate to your writing Rob. Corruption is everywhere and every day. Opposition or innovation does not get off the ground and is tackled by the group in power. Look at Russia how sick things are there. The world is in a mess in this regard and humanity is suffering and much needed improvement or change is not forthcoming. But yes tomorrow the sun will rise again for everyone and the delusion of the day can be seen again. Turn the button and focus on the things that are still going well and find peace in that. Not everything is doom and gloom for us who can still make choices in what we do and don't do.
He did his job. In addition, he immediately became a whistleblower.
At that moment you are no longer loved, after all you threaten higher places and they don't like that.
That is just as clear as here in the Netherlands, where Pieter Omtzigt was labeled by all as an “irritating little guy” and a “function elsewhere” was appointed. Even by his own party to the ground.
I admire these people, as they personally have to give up a lot for this.
It is a “crying shame”, that governments (not only) do this. It seems to be a global trend.
How could that best man grow to such a position knowing that you already have to bring millions of baht to get an important position? Corruption starts there and then you will have to play along and then you cannot suddenly become a victim because you see the light.
Big Joke also got a bit too big but has been taken in grace again and with a person who flees the country (however bad) you never know whether the law celebrates a blessing.
The pathetic story is quoted, but it is not for nothing that the reality is at the top of the army and police and that is why I do not believe in the innocent hands of someone who was part of a sponsored system.
Well, Johnny BG, you're making some comments about Paween here, which is your right. Tell us what you think about human trafficking and what you think should be done about it.
In addition, this is not just about people, but about a wrong system.
Do I understand you correctly that you mean that Paween should have kept his mouth shut? Don't you think he's a brave man?
Tino and also Erik,
What matters to me is that a job like that costs money to get it. Nothing is for nothing, but it turns out he couldn't stand it any longer. It is nice that he has gained this insight, but there are other options to address the problems, such as politics. Parasites are wiped out of the country, which actually means that you are seen as a traitor and for some it is just true that they have dirty hands because of their own interests. The law does not prevail because of people who once paid money to get a job where they themselves determine what wisdom is to undermine the rule of law.
The best man had good intentions, but the hands did not go together. Can that be a conclusion?
Dear Johnny, We all know that crowds of officials shuffle envelopes or make connections to get jobs and promotions in Thailand. But even I don't think that really every official or other important person really gets their job through corruption or connections. Paween himself says he did not participate in these practices. I quote:
“I always worked hard and received promotions for my results in the beginning. However, not at the same pace for the last ten years because I was not willing to pay bribes or make political connections to advance my career. I oppose corruption and refuse to participate in such corrupt practices.”
Of course I don't know this man well either, but given his reputation/principles and the whole course of events, I want to believe him in this. His appeal to clean hands sounds a lot more plausible (given his results and perseverance) than, for example, the man of many borrowed watches…
But of course I am open to new information that can speak for or against these gentlemen. I stay nice and negative and follow the ins and outs with my finger (555). Being skeptical about (Thai) uniforms is fine, good even, but it doesn't always hold true.
“that in Thailand many civil servants push envelopes or make connections to get jobs and promotions”
Where do you get that from? Prove? Have you ever worked in Thailand?
Hear say? Ever heard of jealousy or lies or socially desirable answers?
Well. What I can confirm from my own WORKING experience of 15 years in Thailand (and from my wife's 30 years of work experience) that relationship, patronage, networking, play a much bigger role in jobs than the actual performance and qualifications of the person.
I think a bigger role than in the Netherlands, but you can confirm or refute that.
Chris,
Quote:
'Well. What I can confirm from my own WORKING experience of 15 years in Thailand (and from my wife's 30 years of work experience) that relationship, patronage, networking and playing a much bigger role in jobs than the actual performance and qualifications of the person.'
Totally agree. And that is exactly what Rob V. says. Connections play a big role, and you know, Chris, that money plays a role sometimes, especially with the police. We don't know exactly how often.
I get that from various media: books, newspapers, etc. For example, Pasuk & Sungsidh's book on corruption (published by Silkwormbooks), in which they investigate corruption in the chapter on police and cite interviews that basically boil down to Thailand having a long history (1-2 centuries) of high (police) positions obtained through patronage, favors (kissing ass?)/networking, money flows upwards and, since the cold war, also tapping large sums of money for desirable positions. We don't know exactly how often, exactly how much money, exactly what part of those sought-after positions, but that part of the police leadership obtained combinations of patronage, networks, payments, that is certain.
But fortunately not all those high figures participate in it, and it also succeeds in coming up purely on quality/results. Slower than more creative ones, according to Paween, and I consider that plausible.
That was my point.
I also cannot imagine that every civil servant gets his job by shuffling money. There will be quite a few, certainly in education (see the book 'The teachers of mad dog swamp'), but I think that every official gets his job like this is generalizing. The street sweepers too? And the people on the garbage service?
“What matters to me is that such a job costs money to get it”
That's just not true I know from my own experience.
For one yes, for the other not.
Johnny,
I think that in Thailand people often see the word corruption as serving friends.
For years we had to give money to officials under the table at a town hall in Isaan.
First my wife had to hand over the money in the men's toilet, later to a counter employee who then handed it over to an official in the parking lot.
Also had to pay for dinners of the officials who then went to eat at an agreed place.
Everything can be arranged with money in Thailand, when you know the right person or know someone who knows the right person.
I can still remember an American boy who bought a new Thai identity with money. His father in the USA had died and his mother went to live in Thailand. So he also wanted to stay with his mother in Thailand for an indefinite period of time.
Will justice prevail, Johnny BG? Whose right do you mean? The abused Rohingyas cannot speak because they are dead or deported. They can speak just as little as Somchai, who has disappeared for 18 years, and the murdered people in the mosque and in the open bed of an army truck. And now I forget about the Thai dissidents killed in Laos.
Who thinks of their right? Paween, of course, but he really can't get anything done in Thailand anymore. Unfortunately, it goes into great silence….. One hand washes the other, but in which country is that not the case, as Peter already wrote at 14.01:XNUMX pm…