More than one of our cops is corrupt
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It's been seven months since Prayut Chan-o-cha took power, with strong military backing to fight corruption - yet only one top cop has been charged with anything. Survey after survey fingered the cops as corrupt. Were they all wrong? But for the ex-chief
Tourists increasingly report being intimidated by cops seeking bribes. The police generals seem unaware of this situation, which is killing our vital tourist industry and has made headlines overseas. Prayut should go after these bent coppers and other crooks, cleansing the entire force – rather than waging a vendetta against one mastermind.
Then, he should prevent the rot from returning by reforming an infrastructure that fosters corruption, reviewing and updating the recommendations of the Vasit Dejkunjon Commission, including boosting compensation of lower ranks and reorganising operations at the station level toward more autonomous, problem-focused, community-oriented policing and more representative local boards.
Give us a police force we can trust to protect us, not squeeze us dry.
Burin Kantabutra
Bangkok
