(Spent the weekend in Hua Hin, about a 3-hour drive south of Bangkok… since there was six of us, we rented a taxi-van to take us there. Our driver took a short break to get some coffee and, oh, does he look happy!)
According to a news story, police in Thailand can receive over 35% of the value of drugs in cash rewards if they make a successful drug arrest. Am I crazy, or does providing a commission system for police arrests a bit strange and inappropriate? Doesn’t this kind of activity just breed more corruption? I guess it’s a strange fact of life, otherwise would the police be doing their job?
While the police are here to protect and serve, who actually protects us from police? We all take it for granted that they are here to maintain law and order, but this doesn’t seem to be always the case. I’ve heard about police (in Thailand) demanding bribes for doing their jobs. If you don’t want to be arrested, be given a ticket, or just have the freedom to live your life, it seems giving bribes is the norm in Thailand…. this is especially the case for people who usually don’t have the money or have most to loose. This could be foreigners (who are seen as sources of income), but more often than not, its the poor, the marginalized, and those at risk (i.e. refugees).
Corruption takes many forms and is called many things, but in Thailand, where people smile for all sorts of occasions, sad or happy, angry or relaxed, smiles also hide the fact that corruption is very much a part of life. Corruption isn’t just localized to my experience in Thailand… it’s very much a part of all societies. If you were in a position of power, influence or opportunity, and someone you knew (i.e. family or friend) came to you for help (i.e. with a job, to get a discount, etc.), would you help them or tell them to get lost?
So how do you define “corruption” -Â where do you draw the line when helping someone you know?