Community Police

Community Police
By Steve Graham (Magazine Issue 12 Jan-March 2010)

Back in the day when the term centurion was a rank and not a tank, I can remember how the “British Bobby” on the beat was someone you could rely on. “If you want to know the way, ask a policeman.” Don’t get me wrong, he was no push over and wouldn’t hesitate in giving a kid such as myself a clip round the ear if I was misbehaving.

Today, policeman in the UK would be hung drawn and quartered if they so much as breathed on a member of the public. Times have changed and so has the job of the “boys in blue” in the UK.

With this in mind, I couldn’t help but notice the policemen who direct traffic outside Marie Phitak and St. Mary’s schools here in Udon Thani. My children have been going to school in Udon Thani for nearly seven years now and I can’t remember a time when there wasn’t a policeman outside helping children cross the road at school times.

What makes this even more special is that after all this time you are recognised by them and they even know the names of your children. I have always made the point that when it is a special event at the school, like a show or traditional cultural festival of giving them a bottle of water as they direct the traffic and the general public. It must be bad enough wearing the skin-tight uniforms (I don’t think they make them big enough for me), but having to stand out in the heat while everyone goes about their business is a definite turn off.

The same goes for when it’s raining. They’re still out there, wearing a large dodgy plastic bag around their shoulders, waving away at the traffic making sure our kids avoid the “dodgems” and then it’s off on the motorcycle, back to the station for a cup of Bovril and a copy of the Sun newspaper. And whilst they are doing this, they are still smiling!

Outside of Marie Phitak School, Outthai Kongpeelom’s smile can be seen from miles away as he ensures the safety of the children as they cross the busy main road. I’m not lying when I tell you that it’s murder getting my kids ready in the morning and with all the infighting going on, I’m not in the best of moods; however, Outthai grins like a Cheshire cat and you can’t help but feel better after a smile and a wave.

Sununt Chaiyasang talks to everyone, even remembering the names of some of the children as he stops the traffic to let children and parents into the main entrance of St. Mary’s School. One day, I remember that he wasn’t wearing his shades and I can honestly say that I nearly didn’t recognise him. But he recognised my daughter which gave the game away.

So you see, while we foreigners like to moan about the things we don’t like about Thailand, we should also look at the good points and benefits of living in a country which still has the ideal of community policing.

Thai cops, in the main, are not respectable. They flaunt their authority and take pleasure from the masses cowering in their presence. They extort money while carrying out their duties regularly. Sure there are good examples like the OP highlights, but my experience has been far less positive. It's completely natural to be shaken down for a bribe. Most Thais don't respect policemen either, they fear them.

No, I don't respect Thai policemen.

I marvel at farangs who find it inconceivable that a policeman would stop and help a motorist on the shoulder of a road. It's part of their job. It's a normal expectation in civilized countries.

The only time Thai cops are spurred to action is when there's something in it for them (money or face) or they're told to escort a convoy of busses/VIPs. I would hazard a guess that St Mary's school pays for the policeman/crossing guard because so many Thai motorists couldn't give a flip about school zone speed limits. Because they don't respect traffic laws. Because they regularly see policemen casually flippantly and breaking them.

If Thai police are a step up from your "norm," I hate to think how bad it is in Steve Graham's old neighborhood.

Cynical Texpat, but essentially and rather unfortunately correct IMHO.

Whilst there is no distinct separation of power between the machinery of government and the government of the day there will always be corruption.

While I tend to concur with Texpats synopsis of the situation, I do find it is a tad severe, there are many police officers here who do a good job, maybe not what we from farangland term as acceptable behaviour, however the opposite is also to true, Corruption or the taking of Bribes or even the the sheer incompetence never fails to amaze me.

Being and ex-copper myself, i do know a thing or too, and I can assure you all that even in England one is not bowed down by the correct brigade, no matter what you may think, each officer is automatically given the power of discretion and I often used it.

The problem stems from the systematic acceptance of the way the Thai police behave, and I for one have waxed lyrical on occasions to Police and others whenever i felt the need, and I am amazed to find that most good Thias do tend to agree, but that they cannot for the life of them find a way out of the impasse.

With regard to Police corrup[tion i find that offring to go to the Police Station to sort out the matter often lets the officer know that in fact I am not about to open my wallet, nor am I cowed by his attitude or actions.

This may be construed as a stupid thing to do, but the last twice I have been asked for silly money the officer went on his way, having takenn his car or motorbike number I then went to the Police station and reported the affair.

To date nothing has happened except thanks form the officer I reported it to who I think if my police ranks are correct a major or above, I can never get the hang of those damm ranks.

Not that that action is recommended for everyone, but I do feel in a small way it will change, maybe if thay actually paid the police more , that would be a help I think

How much are they paid at the moment, anyone know ??

I think it may be worse in the cities or on the big highways where there is somewhat of a detachment and anonymity. In the local communities where people are closer and know each other better, there seems to be a more friendly feeling.