Pattaya police tightens surveillance on 'overstay' foreigners
A special unit of the police and immigration service has investigated a number of places in Pattaya. A number of condos, apartments and hotels where many foreigners stay were visited.
Thai street dogs now eyes and ears of the police
A remarkable initiative of the Thai police in Bangkok. Stray dogs are going to help there to do something about crime. The dogs have been given a special vest, which is equipped with a hidden camera and a bark detector.
Belgian couple robbed by Thai police
A young Belgian couple (both 28 years old) from Hove have had an unpleasant experience during their trip through Thailand. They were taken by 'police officers' on the penultimate day of the holiday and they only wanted to release the couple after they paid 40.000 baht.
Now that the international press is also paying attention to 'Death Island' Koh Tao, Surat Thani police have held a press conference in which they emphasize that they have conducted a thorough investigation into the many mysterious cases in which foreign tourists have died. The investigative and forensic work complied with US FBI guidelines, police say. On the island, six tourists have died in the past four years and a woman is still missing.
Reader Submission: 'On the Threshold of a Thai Cell'
They caught me at Ekkamai bus station. Two men picked me from the arriving travelers. 'Passport', it sounded and they gestured: open that backpack. I'm hanging, I thought immediately. It wasn't hidden, just in my toiletry bag.
The scandal surrounding the prostitution network with underage girls in Mae Hong Son continues to spread. In addition to the police officer and two women arrested in Mae Hong Son, the police have more suspects in mind. It involves three or four police officers and female pimps. Governor Suebsak Iamwicharn is also involved in the network, says Deputy Chief Constable Srivara of the Royal Thai Police.
A senior Mae Hong Son police officer is suspected of running a prostitution network in the North that is tolerated by local politicians and officials. The police station has launched an investigation, the suspected officer and three other officers have been transferred to another province in the course of the investigation.
I would like to warn the readers of this blog, who live or are on holiday in Hua Hin, against a new form of corruption (say extortion) by the police.
Bit very stupid
With my rental scooter I go out in Pattaya, but after a few kilometers an agent stands in my path and I have to stop. Wear my helmet neatly and I even have a motorcycle license that I once obtained in a gray past. The agent in question asks for my international driver's license, which I immediately produce. Too bad, it's expired so I'm going irrevocably on the receipt.
An honest question about the Thai police
Why are our police chiefs offended when asked how they are doing in fighting crime and eradicating police corruption? “What do we have the Thai police for?” was the subject of a recent panel discussion among academics. The very question provoked the wrath of senior police officials.
Proposal to make Thai police more transparent
The reform proposal for the Thai police is almost ready. The Royal Thai Police has made a plan in which the application of new technology is paramount. This should ensure greater transparency of the police apparatus, and the aim is also to improve the image of the police.
Bangkok police hunt speed demons with cameras
Since yesterday, the Bangkok police have mobile cameras at their disposal to monitor and fine traffic. The cameras are mainly used to catch speed offenders.
Reader submission: Does Thailand no longer want tourists?
Today there was another police check in Ban Phe. We saw the police urging the Thai to turn back before the roadblock. Every farang was stopped and inspected. No helmet, international driver's license or anything.
"If I can do it, other women can do it too"
Sirirat Thongthipa is the only female member of the Bike Patrol Volunteer Group in Ayutthaya. Twice a week she gets on her mountain bike to patrol the old town. A source of information for tourists, small children and the elderly, but also effective in apprehending suspects on the narrow paths of the city.
Questions are being asked about the part-time job of Bangkok Police Commissioner Sanit Mahathavorn. For example, the 'Association for the Protection of the Constitution' has asked the National Ombudsman to conduct an investigation. Sanit has a job as a consultant at beer brewer ThaiBev. He receives 50.000 baht per month for this.
Police reform limited to forensic investigation for the time being
Friend and foe agree, the police are the most corrupt government agency in Thailand. Time to get the broom through you would think. So does the military government. However, the reform is still limited to forensic research for the time being. That should improve the prosecution of criminals.
Reader question: Police home visits to foreigners who have lived in Thailand for a long time
Today I read on the internet that the police here in Pattaya have made home visits to farang who have lived here for a long time, checking their address and identity. They haven't visited me yet.