Comments on: Police Shoot Them, Finally

By: A.F.

A.F. — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:57:00 +0000

Is it too cynical to anticipate that six months from now, buried on page 11 of the Post, we’ll see a brief article relating how the RTP is abandoning the camera system? May we also expect the typical insinuations that foreign technology is to blame because it just doesn’t fit with (… wait for it …) “Thai culture”?

With all due respect, Dan, those “flexibilities,” especially in law enforcement and other bureaucratic processes, are the wellspring of corruption and only serve to retard social progress and uniform justice and opportunity.

-A.F.

By: BangkokDan

BangkokDan — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:36:06 +0000

Yes but back then we didn’t do anything wrong, did we, so why pay.

As mentioned several times, I do appreciate the “flexibilities” here, a major charm of Thailand – disdain? Maybe you’re reading something wishful into it. Sorry pal, no double standards here.

BangkokDan

By: bosunj

bosunj — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:14:35 +0000

Dan,

Call it another peculiarity of the locals’ sense of law and order.

Peculiarity in this instance seems to connote disdain.

That in mind I recall your mentioning your wife speaking with a policeman on the road to Hua Hin and the result of that conversation.

I may be wrong that you drove away without paying a fine.

I’m not picking on you Dan. As I have repeatedly told you I enjoy much of what you write.

Chok dee

By: BangkokDan

BangkokDan — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:25:05 +0000

Not that easy indeed to get rid of such deeply rooted traditions.

Most Thais have some friend within the police whom to call when one doesn’t feel like paying a fine …

Most get at least a discount.

Call it another peculiarity of the locals’ sense of law and order.

BangkokDan

By: thy

thy — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:24:51 +0000

So instead of paying the policeman a bribe there on the spot, you have to go to one of the designated centers and pay the same bribe. Just cos they have official-looking photos doesn’t mean the police won’t still be lining their pockets from this.

“Ok then Mr. Somchai, it says here your fine is 1,000 baht and I’m supposed to take 3 points of your license. I can’t be bothered and don’t know how to do that, so how about you just give me 1,000 now and I’ll make sure this little photo disappears and your points remain in tact?”