Phuket
Drunk police officer shoots and beats vendor on Bangla Road in Phuket

A Phuket police officer was caught on camera beating and shooting at a noodle vendor on Bangla Road in Patong, critically injuring the young man. Reports vary on exactly what happened before the shooting, but apparently the police officer had been drinking until nearly dawn this morning before the incident.
Surveillance camera footage shows the 25 year old vendor suddenly falling to the ground after being shot. The officer then walks up and shoots again at close range. It appears the second shot did not hit the vendor. The officer walks away, but then comes back, slaps the vendor in the face, picks the vendor up and shoves him over, and then kicks the vendor before walking away. The vendor, Aroon Thongplab, is being treated at Vachira Phuket Hospital’s intensive care unit for a gunshot wound in his stomach.
Phuket News and Nation Thailand report different scenarios before the shooting. According to Phuket News, witnesses say the officer was drunk and was trying to get into the popular nightclub Illusion, but the venue’s bouncer refused and blocked the club’s entrance because the officer was carrying a gun. Officer Pornthep Channarong then pointed his gun to the road and shot the 25 year old vendor who was walking by, reports say.
Nation Thailand reports that the officer was drinking at a pub on Bangla Road around 5:45am this morning and got in an argument with foreigners. He then stepped outside and shot in the air as a threat, but the bullet hit the noodle vendor.
Police arrived at the scene around 6am and confiscated a 9mm handgun, 9 bullet casings and 2 live bullets. They took Pornthep to the local police station for questioning, but Patong police chief Sujin Nilabodi says the statements made by the detained officer were confusing because Pornthep was still drunk.
SOURCES: Phuket News | Nation Thailand
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Drugs
Police seize 920 kilograms of cannabis smuggled across the Mekong River

In a major bust on the Mekong River, notorious for drug smuggling, border patrol police seized 920 kilograms of dried, compacted cannabis from a boat along the Nakhon Pathom riverbank, bordering Laos.
Police were tipped off about a large shipment of drugs being trafficked across the Thai-Laos border. Police spotted a boat around 4am yesterday. When police moved in, men onboard the boat jumped onto a smaller boat and sped off. Police found 23 sacks filled with 1-kilogram packages of compressed cannabis.

PHOTO: MGR Online
In the recent months, police have seized more than 5 tonnes of cannabis. While the Thai government has been loosening measures on cannabis, allowing parts of the plant with low traces of the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, to be used in food and medicinal products, trafficking cannabis is still illegal. Cannabis with high amounts of THC is still classified as a Category 5 narcotic.
SOURCE:Bangkok Post
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Bangkok
Royal Thai Police accused of “ticket” promotion system to buy senior positions

The Royal Thai Police are being accused of using so-called “elephant tickets” to buy their way into promotions and pay their way up the police force’s chain of command. The corruption among the police force and the buying of positions without meeting the requirements for a promotion has been a longtime problem, according to the Bangkok Post.
The “elephant ticket” issue was recently brought to light by an opposition MP at a censure debate who said it fast tracked the promotion system and allowed some people who were unqualified and undeserving to raise their rank. Some Thais have protested the “elephant ticket.” Many gathered in front of the Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok last week, including one person who dressed up as an elephant.
At the censure debate on February 19, Move Forward Party MP Rangsiman Rome called out PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, who chairs the Police Commission overseeing the Royal Thai Police, and said the prime minister allowed the “elephant ticket” promotions. Prayut later said there were problems within the police force and that he would handle it.
Police who want a promotion need a ticket, which is basically just a reference or a stamp of approval from a senior officer or even a politician or business person. To get an “elephant ticket,” some can pay for the ticket. A source told the Post that positions for police superintendents cost between 5 to 10 million baht.
Others can get a ticket by doing favours for their superior or even just serving their superior for a long time, sources told the Bangkok Post. The higher the position a senior officer has, the more tickets they have to give out.
To read the full special report by the Bangkok Post, click HERE.
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Crime
Woman talks about the life of a Thai “pretty” after model’s death

Following the news of a model who died after working as a hostess at a Bangkok party, Thai media spoke with a woman, known in Thailand as a “pretty,” about what it’s like to work in the lucrative, yet shady Thai model entertainment industry where many work as hostesses at parties and events that often involve alcohol, drugs and sex work.
“Miss Cake” told the Thai news outlet Daily News that pretties are sent to parties by “modelling agencies.” The parties are even categorized depending on if drugs or sex are involved. Apparently the parties are either “En-Up,” “En-V” or just “En” for entertainment. En-Up means drugs are involved, while En-V means the pretties will offer sexual services. Other pretties work at promotional events like auto shows. Since nightclubs and other entertainment venues in Bangkok have been closed due to the pandemic, many of the parties are now held at private homes.
If a pretty is working at an En-Up party, Miss Cake says that means there will be ecstasy, known as “khanom,” the Thai word for a dessert or snack. She says good “khanom” shipped from overseas costs around 900 to 1,000 baht while the poor quality, Thai-made drugs cost 500 baht. Just about every pretty takes drugs, she says. If mixed with ketamine, Miss Cake says it can be dangerous.
Daily News spoke with Miss Cake following the death of a 33 year old Witchayaporn “Wawa” Wisetsombat who worked died in a hospital after working as a hostess at a party in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. She had been hired by a modelling agency to serve drinks at a private party. Her younger sister told the Bangkok Post that Wawa was a product presenter and never sold sex or used narcotics. Doctors told the Post Wawa died from respiratory and blood system failure. They are still waiting for the results for a toxicology test.
The death of another model back in 2019 shed light on the abuse and danger many pretties face in the industry. 25 year old Thitima “Lunlabelle” Noraphanpiphat died from “extreme alcohol intoxication,” according to an autopsy report. Her dead body was found in the lobby of a Bangkok condominium. 6 people were found guilty for involvement in Lunlabelle’s death.
Abuse is common in the industry and many women working as pretties are often pressured into drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. The work of pretties is looked down upon in Thai society. Due to the stigma, many due not file complaints when they are abused.
SOURCE: Thai Visa
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Somchai
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 5:40 pm
This is not an isolated incident with drunk cops and guns. This country needs a serious review on how it employs absolute cowboys in power, from the top down.
Kim
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 8:06 pm
This behavior is not exclusive to drunk coppers but the normal way of life. Too many wannabe big mafia types with weapons. Now with the increase in crime and drug use, expect it to become even worse.
Lancev32
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 8:09 am
A criminal being a criminal is one thing, an LEO whos sole job is to protect and serve being a criminal is a whole different thing.
Toby Andrews
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 4:12 pm
Actually Somchai cowboy cops are quite good.
For example, Wild Bill Hickok. Wyatt Earp. Neil skinny Brown. The Lone Ranger.
Ian
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 6:59 pm
I wonder what ij version is I’m sure he will say the cop was protecting himself from a noodle seller
Mr cynic
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 7:22 pm
Welcome to dodge.
How anybody in there right mind goes there for a holiday is beyond me.
Yan
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 8:13 pm
Official scum…
Jim kelly
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 8:29 pm
THE “BOYS IN BROWN!” There’s something else that’s the same colour.. it’s called SHIT!! Synchronicity I believe with the police uniform and the colour of shit!!!
Sanuk
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 9:16 pm
Seems like stories like these tend to occur much more in Phuket than the rest of the major tourist cities in Thailand, which is why I’ll never return to Phuket. Went there once in 2017, it was okay, but won’t be back. BKK, Pattaya, CM and the various islands near BKK and Pattaya are sufficient.
James Pate
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 4:52 am
Agree. It was quite fun in 2000. After my last trip in 2010, I said “Never again”. The long list of reasons would be superfluous.
John_2
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 10:28 am
During the early to mid 2000’s Phuket once looked promising as a high rollers paradise… Err, not today.
Issan John
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 10:17 pm
Sounds like things in Phuket are getting back to normal already.
Toby Andrews
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 10:23 pm
Two days ago foreigners were arrested for selling alcohol, yet these Thai cants can drink at 5.45 in the morning!
And then a Thai copper shoots a vendor on the street. I doubt he will ever go to court.
Tourists shun this dangerous Thai rip off Phuket for ever.
They will not change.
Graham Walker
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 8:08 am
Yeah, doesn’t appear to be any mention about the small fact that this BIB was still drinking and had a gun in his possession. Never ceases to amaze what people here in Thailand can get away with.
J West
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 11:19 am
“ Foreigners involved” , that explains everything! Drinking Lao Lao until 5:45 is justified by the cold temperature, an officer on the street , doing his duty, keeping an eye on things. Likely it was the “ foreigners” that started everything.
Toby Andrews
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 3:32 pm
Yes the noodle seller might have been Burmese.
Jesus Monroe
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 1:19 pm
Damn his noodles couldn’t of tasted that bad could they………