On with the show
Play
Recent performances on the world stage by the Royal Thai Police have been disappointing. Third-rate direction, inferior scripts and fluffed lines have led to poor reviews in the international news media.
Meanwhile, the nationally staged soap opera of law enforcement continues unabated.
Attendance remains high at police-owned (illegal) downtown entertainment venues and betting joints, while law-abiding bar-owners et al have to pay enormous “police duties” in order to “put on a show”.
Wealthy criminal benefactors from business and politics (always offered the best seats in the house gratis) feed the theatre of cop-shop corruption, guaranteeing lifelong “police protection” in the process. Hi-so whodunits require villainous levels of graft to be rendered unsolvable.
Bit-part players and stunt juniors supplement salaries (on the fringe) with the staging of bogus defamation cases, fairytale drug allegations and other sundry sub-plots.
Comic relief is provided by the trafficking of traffic and driving laws remain a backstage joke (except, always on cue, just before the end of each month).
Tragically, in the real world of ordinary citizens, crime escalates dramatically.
Yes, police reform is still far more important than a quick return to Thai-style democracy.
John Shepherd
