Hold onto your hats, folks, because we’ve got ourselves quite the scandal brewing over in the bustling heart of Bangkok! It’s about a controversial “volunteer police” training program that seems to have everyone’s knickers in a twist. This story has all the makings of a daytime TV drama: university professors being summoned, hefty fees being forked out, and a good old-fashioned mystery to unravel. So, let’s dive into this whirlwind of allegations, accusations, and a curious case of who trained who—and why.
The drama kicked off when a member of the public stumbled across some rather eyebrow-raising information online. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the Metropolitan Police Division 3, and a privately-operated university were allegedly offering a training course targeted at Chinese nationals. Yes, you heard right—training Chinese nationals to be, wait for it, volunteer police. And not for chump change, either. Each participant was said to be charged a cool 38,000 baht. Now, unless this training came with a lifetime supply of pad Thai, that’s quite a hefty sum in any currency!
This revelation was juicy enough to prompt a People’s Party MP, Sasinan Thamnithinan, to take to social media with an inquisitive air, asking why the Royal Thai Police was cozying up with Chinese nationals in this manner. The burning question she’d like answered? Where on earth did this idea come from, and what exactly was 38,000 baht buying these volunteers?
Enter Pol Lt Gen Sayam Boonsom, the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s very own commissioner. With the gravitas of a seasoned detective in a classic film noir, he confirmed that indeed, the training occurred. He pegged the dates—December 25 to 27, 2024—at Siam University in Thon Buri. Yuletide festivities took a backseat as participants shelled out the moolah and, in return, walked away armed with a two-year certificate, police gear, and an official-looking ID badge to boot.
The plot thickens with allegations that the event was parading around under the prestigious CIB logo and name, much to the CIB’s dismay, as they’d vehemently deny any link. Pol Lt Gen Sayam didn’t waste time; he placed a proverbial Sherlock cap on Metropolitan Police Division 3’s executives, ordering them to peel back the layers of this situation until they unearthed the truth.
At the heart of the investigation is a probing into the origins of that mysterious 38,000-baht fee. Sayam’s detectives are digging deep, like a gardener determined to plant the finest roses, for answers. How did payments go down, who were the payees, and what kind of selection process did participants endure to gain entry into this pricey programme?
If evidence surfaces that entangles any police officers with these organizers, a disciplinary and criminal guillotine hangs ominously overhead. It’s a clear warning: any misconduct, any financial gain from dubious dealings, won’t just be swept under the carpet.
Meanwhile, over at Siam University, President Pornchai Mongkhonvanit has assured the public that their institution is not treating these allegations lightly. They’re rolling up their sleeves and initiating their own internal probe to sort through the facts from fiction.
And so, dear readers, we wait with bated breath as this saga unfolds. Will the curtain fall on this training scheme-turned-controversy? Will justice prevail? Stay tuned as the Metropolitan Police Bureau dives deeper into this peculiar case that’s got everyone talking from Bangkok to beyond. Until then, perhaps enrolling in this volunteer course should be postponed in favor of something a tad less adventurous!
Seems like another case of corruption at high levels. Why would they need Chinese nationals as volunteer police in Bangkok?
Maybe it’s about building international ties? But still, training foreigners to police in someone else’s country seems odd.
That’s a possibility, Susan, but it just feels like there’s more going on behind the scenes.
It’s probably just about the money. 38,000 baht each is a huge income for whoever is organizing this.
As someone living in Bangkok, I find this whole scenario baffling. It’s like turning Bangkok into a hotspot for ‘tourist cops.’
Right?! I’m just as confused. Wouldn’t it be better to just hire more local police with the money they make from this?
Seems like the entire country should be questioning this. Is this legal or just another case of Thai politics turning a blind eye?
I think it’s disgraceful that a university would be involved in this kind of shady activity. They’re supposed to educate, not exploit.
Universities these days seem more focused on profits than education. It’s the same everywhere.
Sad but true. We need more integrity in educational institutions, not opportunism.
Honestly, why is anyone surprised? This just sounds like a typical day in managment at a Southeast Asian police force.
Hey now, that’s kind of a blanket statement. Many officers try to uphold the law and do their jobs right!
True enough, Leroy, but situations like this just taint the image of everyone involved.
38,000 baht! That’s insane. I could think of way better things to spend that kind of money on. Crazy!
For real! I doubt the training was that worth it. It sounds more like a weird scam to me.
I bet this is bigger than it seems. If the CIB logo was used without permission, who knows what other shady stuff is going on?
I think you’re right. Hard to imagine such a big operation flying under the radar without some kind of cover-up.
From a tech perspective, I wonder how these ID badges were created and what security risks they pose.
Great point! Fake IDs could destabilize trust in the local security apparatus if they fall into the wrong hands.
Policing is a serious profession that requires trust and respect, you can’t just buy your way into it!
Exactly! This makes a mockery of the profession. I doubt these ‘volunteers’ were properly vetted or trained.
How are people not more outraged about this? It’s everything wrong with corrupted systems given platforms.
It’s like people are just numb to corruption now, Ryan. This should be front-page news and lead to major changes.
We should be supporting our local police force, not outsourcing it to foreigners! This is madness.
I’m curious about how many participants actually saw this through. Did they realize the potential backlash?
Good question, Alex. I think many were probably unaware until it was too late.
As an expat, I can assure you the locals aren’t the only ones scratching their heads over this fiasco.
Why can’t the police efforts be directed towards meaningful reforms rather than shady training programs?
They should definitely focus on real change and improvement. This only undermines public trust.
Maybe the idea was to foster some kind of cultural exchange, though it seems poorly executed and more like business as usual.
Or maybe it’s just a cover for something more sinister. A cultural exchange shouldn’t involve so much money and confusion.
Seems like a potentially dangerous situation, especially if these ‘volunteer police’ misuse their authority with fake credentials.
Why would Siam University risk their reputation? It makes no sense unless they’re trapped in some big conspiracy.
I just want to know who thought this was a good idea in the first place. How did they think this wouldn’t blow up?
Probably someone who thought they could make a quick buck without any repercussions. This is ridiculous.