Expat Police Volunteers

[dtaai-maai]

I'm all for someone who speaks good Thai and knows the system volunteering to act as an interpreter in order to provide assistance for foreigners in trouble with the police or any other branch of the authorities here, if they feel comfortable doing so (although that's what the Embassies and Consulates should be doing), but call me an old cynic, but I'd have to raise an eyebrow at the motivation behind any farang wanting to wear a uniform, carry handcuffs and blow a security guard's whistle... ( )

It all smacks to me of a need to show off or prove something.

[Nereus]

It all smacks to me of a need to show off or prove something.

Perfectly illustrated with the shaved head and arm full of tats!

[richard]

Well my question posted out of curiosity has prompted a host of interesting replies which has stimulated even more thought provoking questions. My take on the issue is this:

1..The function Informant, translator, local house watch, patrolling or what?

2..The legality. Work permit or not, Citizenship, tourist or resident expat?

3..Perception How viewed by fellow expats, tourists, police, immigration. Thai public?

4..Qualification Previous experience, multilingual or what?

1..Translator and house watching seem reasonable to me. Informant, well that has always been around and is unofficially done anyway. Patrolling, well you've got to be an egotistical idiot to go for that scene IMO

2..Well unless you are a citizen with the right to vote and own land you are still an alien. Additionally what is acceptable to local police/immigration may still be perceived as illegal to the next level up i.e. Provincial authorities or Bangkok authorities

3..Admiration, suspicion, scorn, hatred? Take your pick. One thing is certain, loss of face by Thais would be huge. A farang doing a Thai job which is supposed to done by a Thai.

4..Ex club bouncer, ex police or just a heavy?

OK let's say you've got the job and you are patrolling. Do you get a cut of the tea money? You pull up a HiSo in his Ferrari and ask for his license and ID. Do you book him when he says 'piss off farang'?

Be interesting to hear the views of someone who has actually done the job in say Phuket, Pattaya, Khon Kaen or Chang Mai

[Dannie Boy]

I doubt that it would work at all, but certainly not the way Richard has described it. If it were to happen, I'm sure it would be a farang accompanying Thai police rather than being on their own and they would only get asked to translate and maybe explain issues to the "offending" party to try to cool things down - no likelihood of them pulling over a hi so in a Ferrari and saying "blow on this" (a breathalyser by the way).

[sateeb]

Quite correct Dannie Boy

I worked as Tourist Police Volunteer for a couple of years in Khon Kaen. We were dragged out on big holidays such as Songkran etc to join in the parades. There was no question of us patrolling the mean streets of Khon kaen and we were called upon occasionally to help the TP deal with a situation involving Farangs. We were required to carry out some type of duty once a month, Airport or office duties. As an ex copper this suited me fine but there were some who wanted a more active role ...


The Pattaya volunteers are a different kettle of fish,semi paramilitary gear and weapons and a lot of them with a neanderthal mentality of the weekend warrior

[Farang]

That's right Farang.
Hua Hin also have their share of a few farangs who works for the tourist police.
This is actually no secret and a few of them are even equipped with a uniform!
The only questions is; where are they?

I have never seen any Foreigners working with the Police in Hua Hin!

Im curious now so hopefully someone can confirm this?

There's never been need for any further confirmation on anything Norseman has said on HHAD.

[kendo]

Their was a documentary about five parts aired in the UK of volunteer police in Pattaya the main guy that is focused on in the documentary owned a very well known news paper over there maybe,he is privy to the latest farang that had fallen off a balcony and splashed all over the soi below or the latest roadside carnage.

I don't think that Hua Hin would need such volunteers and any farang working plane clothed for the police is nothing really any more than an informer although someone that can help in a victim support role only would maybe add some value. If you stick your neck out and disrespect Thailand and cause trouble then you deserve everything that comes back to you in my opinion.

Richard do you know anyone that needs busting for a Class 5 offence.lol

Kendo.

[caller]

Their was a documentary about five parts aired in the UK of volunteer police in Pattaya the main guy that is focused on in the documentary owned a very well known news paper over there maybe,he is privy to the latest farang that had fallen off a balcony and splashed all over the soi below or the latest roadside carnage.

You must mean Niels Colov? Google is your friend!

Is it actually needed in Hua Hin?

I think the series you refer to was, 'big trouble in Thailand', it's still available on youtube. It wasn't only about the volunteer / tourist police.

[kendo]

I recal a British guy called Howard.

Kendo.

[Farang]

The farang person I know, and who works with Tourist Police in HH, is much needed in situations where the farang - victim or perp. - is monolingual, drunk, stupid or otherwise unable to communicate with a lingo the TP BiB understand.

Actually he is out quite often and very particularly on the
side and in the service of the tourist, not the police.

[Brit Jim]

The farang person I know, and who works with Tourist Police in HH, is much needed in situations where the farang - victim or perp. - is monolingual, drunk, stupid or otherwise unable to communicate with a lingo the TP BiB understand.

Actually he is out quite often and very particularly on the
side and in the service of the tourist, not the police.

Is this farang working for them in an official capacity or is it a one off ??

The only way to get a definite answer is to speak to the police directly.

A large number of Expat police volunteers have just resigned in Phuket over certain allegations being made!

Makes you wonder if its really worth it….sad but true!

[Farang]

The farang person I know, and who works with Tourist Police in HH, is much needed in situations where the farang - victim or perp. - is monolingual, drunk, stupid or otherwise unable to communicate with a lingo the TP BiB understand.

Actually he is out quite often and very particularly on the
side and in the service of the tourist, not the police.

Is this farang working for them in an official capacity or is it a one off ??

The only way to get a definite answer is to speak to the police directly.

A large number of Expat police volunteers have just resigned in Phuket over certain allegations being made!

Makes you wonder if its really worth it….sad but true!

As I said in my first post on this thread:

"I know an expat who regularly works with the Tourist Police. No uniform, though, and I do not how official this arrangement is. He gets called by Tourist Police fairly often when situations arise.

_________________"