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2007 Assessment

Thailand: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Thailand: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Law Enforcement
Indicators		Score
80	Is the law enforcement agency (i.e. the police) effective?	33
81	Can law enforcement officials be held accountable for their actions?	67

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Is the law enforcement agency (i.e. the police) effective?

80a: In practice, appointments to the law enforcement agency (or agencies) are made according to professional criteria.

Score:

100

Comments: There are loopholes. Patronage is the key for promotion in the police department.

References: Telephone interview with Wuthikai Jaturongsereekul, an investigator at Bang Plad Police station, Sept. 23, 2007

Telephone interview with Noppadol Themmatha, a police officer at Bang Yeekan Police station, Sept. 12, 2007

80b: In practice, the law enforcement agency (or agencies) has a budget sufficient to carry out its mandate.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The agency (or agencies) has a budget sufficient to fulfill its basic mandate. <p>50 Score Criteria: The agency (or agencies) has limited budget, generally considered somewhat insufficient to fulfill its basic mandate. <p>0 Score Criteria: The agency (or agencies) has no budget or an obviously insufficient budget that hinders the agency\'s ability to fulfill its mandate.$

Comments: The budget is not sufficient. Not only does the agency have a limited budget, but it also has to find the sponsors to fulfill its basic mandate. (This information given by a policeman).

References: Telephone interview with Wuthikai Jaturongsereekul, an investigator at Bang Plad Police station, Sept. 23, 2007

Telephone interview with Noppadol Themmatha, a police officer at Bang Yeekan Police station, Sept. 12, 2007

80c: In practice, the law enforcement agency is protected from political interference.

Score:

100

Comments: A political executive has the power to appoint law enforcement officials.

References: Telephone interview with Wuthikai Jaturongsereekul, an investigator at Bang Plad Police station, Sept. 23, 2007

Noppadol Themmatha, a police officer at Bang Yeekan Police station, Sept. 12, 2007

Peer Review Comments: Political interference with the police is a regular occurrence.

Can law enforcement officials be held accountable for their actions?

81a: In law, there is an independent mechanism for citizens to complain about police action.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: The National Counter Corruption Commission of Thailand The Administrative Court of Thailand The Court of Justice

81b: In practice, the independent law enforcement complaint reporting mechanism responds to citizen's complaints within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments: It varies from case to case. Cases that receive publicity will be dealt with more promptly than others. Cases involving powerful figures will also be given special attention by the law enforcement officials.

References: Telephone interview with Wuthikai Jaturongsereekul, an investigator at Bang Plad Police station, Sept. 23 2007

Telephone interview with Noppadol Themmatha, a police officer at Bang Yeekan Police station, Sept. 12, 2007

81c: In law, there is an agency/entity to investigate and prosecute corruption committed by law enforcement officials.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: The Nation Counter Corruption Commission of Thailand.

81d: In practice, when necessary, the agency/entity independently initiates investigations into allegations of corruption by law enforcement officials.

Score:

100

Comments: See Thailand's Procedural Penal Code.

References: Telephone interview with Wuthikai Jaturongsereekul, an investigator at Bang Plad Police station, Sept. 23, 2007

Noppadol Themmatha, a police officer at Bang Yeekan Police station, Sept. 12, 2007

81e: In law, law enforcement officials are not immune from criminal proceedings.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: The Procedural Penal Code, Section 157

81f: In practice, law enforcement officials are not immune from criminal proceedings.

Score:

100

Comments: An ordinary person will be reluctant to sue a law enforcement official.

References: Telephone interview with Noppadol Themmatha, a police officer at Bang Yeekan Police station. Nov. 5 2007