Thugs in Pattaya are really getting flagrant — and police are really getting impotent — if this scene captured by Pattaya City News is any indication: A gang of guys were beating the crap out of two other guys on Third Road. One police officer showed up and tried to intervene, and even discharged his firearm into the air an attempt to stop the fight. When the assailants were finished, they walked away from the police officer to a waiting car (first photo, here on the right), got in and drove away while a second mounted motorcycle officer watched them drive away, while his gun was pointed at them (second photo). "No further police action was taken" according to Pattaya City News.
Either Pattaya City News videotaped two guys being beaten with police permission, or the two guys did something so bad to merit a beating that, after the fact, the cops decided they deserved it. Hell: The license plate on the car is clearly visible on the link above; it's not like the police can't find these guys if they wanted to.
Perhaps the guys who were beaten told the officers to forget about it, but that is really beside the point: These cops were totally blown off while trying to stop a crime.
If I were one of the police officers who was videotaped in such an embarassing situation — no matter the circumstances — I'd take a really personal interest in hunting these guys down in this particular instance.
5 comments:
I have come to the conclusion that, in Thailand, the police let common fights amongst Thais work themselves out (i.e. street justice). I think they did exactly what they were supposed to do. Break it up. The fact that they were photographed doesn't mean anything except that they were photographed doing their job.
Now, if it involved foreigners then the level of police involvement would have been more substantial.
Sorry, Gunny, I have to disagree.
I don't care what country you're in, if you walk away from a police officer with a drawn weapon... especially after that officer has actually fired a warning shot, I am guessing that's a serious crime.
It's not about the fight, and it's not about the officers deciding not to arrest the people in the fight... that's on-the-scene law enforcement prerogative. However, walking away from, and totally ignoring an officer who is obviously trying to control a situation is illegal at best, and anarchic at worst.
Jil, below the dashes is the latest issue of the Phuket Gazette and the crime statistics they report each month. It is consistently clear what areas of crime they focus on there, so I was assuming maybe the same for Pattaya.
IMO, the warning shot was to break up the fighting. And the second officer pointing his gun at the car was to make sure the thugs left (with the officer probably pointing the gun to show his Clint Eastwood authority and GAIN public "face" in his mind). I'm not saying this is right or non-anarchic, but unless there is a serious injury and/or weapons being used then it is not considered an "assault" in the cops' minds.
Crime = arrest when reading the article.
BTW, welcome back.
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Gambling tops crime stats
PHUKET: Gambling topped the latest crime statistics released by Phuket Provincial Police, with 228 arrests in November.
Drug-related cases accounted for 109 arrests, of which 49 involved ya bah (methamphetamine) with a total of 3,170.5 pills seized.
Twenty-seven people were arrested for the use of cannabis, with 9.2 kilograms confiscated. There were 15 arrests for inhalant abuse and nine for possession of krathom (an indigenous Thai plant that acts as a mild stimulant) with 30kg seized along with an additional 200 leaves.
Eight people were arrested for possession of “krathom liquid” (a drink made from krathom leaves), and one person was arrested for possession of ya E (Ecstasy) with half a pill seized.
There were 110 cases of theft reported, three involving motorcycles, with arrests made in 68 of the cases.
There were seven reported attempted murders in November, with three cases “solved”. Of 12 reports of assault, six arrests were made.
Eighty-one people were arrested for prostitution and 21 for possession of unlicensed firearms.
Two people were arrested in November for possession or distribution of pornography.
This sounds like (again) a case of applying police tactics and expectations to a place where police are generally thought of as a joke by the locals.
Yea, they should have stopped the fight, arrested the culprits, taken up space in the local jail, scheduled a trial, paid for lawyers/court employee salaries, dolled out fines and jail terms and then waited for the counter-suits...oh, wait this is not Amerikka.....better to just let them work it out and make sure they dont hurt anyone else.
IMHO. The most common times I see people get themselves into trouble, is when they get involved (vietnam,somolia,afganistan,iran,iraq ect..) in other peoples affairs. I guess depending on your point of view; is 'justice' worth the tax prices paid in the western societies?
Now, before your quick to answer; remember, this 'justice' is paid for by the middle class but does not apply evenly to the upper class (pro-athletes, actors ect)
Just some salt for the post...enjoy.
Jil I read this the other day and I too couldn't believe the police just let them leave the scene.
Who are these guys to have that much power to be able to do that?
Why didn't the policeman just shoot them as I am sure no-one would miss the losers,
This is the shit that reflects bad on Thailand, I also read about a foreigner being bashed and carried out of a bar and dumpoed out the back and the Thai guys fleeing.
Many of these farang guys overstep on the thai guys toes but the police need to step up to the plate and start curbing the violence, robberies and drug problems there in Pattaya.
I personally thin it's a lovely place and have never had any trouble there but again I am careful and try to be smart and alert when there.
Happy New Year to you and Epril and I have enjoyed readin about your trip to Epril's home.
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