LETTER TO THE EDITOR issue 6

Firstly, I would like to say that I do not intend to get drawn into a war of words between the Foreign Tourist Police Assistant (FTPA) and the Foreign Police Volunteers (FPV).  Let’s remember that we have one common aim which is to help foreigners. However the article written anonymously in the Pattaya People clearly includes information which requires clarification from me in my capacity as Group Leader of the FTPA. Since this would have no chance of getting published in the PPW I am writing to the Pattaya Times who I know are interested in current local issues and uncovering the real truth.

I am well aware who wrote this article and can reveal that he is a very senior member of the FPV’s. He initially joined the Tourist Police Volunteers some years ago before the formation of the FTPA. At that time there was no formal entrance procedure and lines of communication between the Tourist Police and the Foreign Volunteers was not so good. As part of his duties he was told that he should sit in front of the Tourist Police Mobile Unit based on Walking Street and help with Tourist Information and other enquiries. His response was that he did not have time to do this and someone of his social standing could not be seen to be doing this. He did not last long as a Tourist Police Volunteer.

Since the formation of the FTPA approximately 3 years ago, we now have a strict entrance procedure and training period for new FTPA. We also offer training through a number of means: On-the-job training, role play training sessions, basic first aid training, and basic fire fighting training and the opportunity to take courses which, although not directly related to our roles as FTPA, they can help to enhance their personal skills. I understand that recently the FPV have also introduced a similar strict entrance procedure which is good news.

In the article the writer stated that the FTPA are a much smaller group than the FPV.  Size really does not matter, the quality of your members does.  For that reason we keep our group as small as possible to ensure that effective control measures can be put into place. If we allowed the FTPA to grow to numbers equivalent to the FPV I would be extremely worried that we would not be able to properly control the group.

We are in regular contact with members of the FPV who tell us they do not wish to be associated with the article in the PPW and they have confirmed to us that there are serious internal issues within the group at the moment.  I really hope they can work through these issues as the idea of having foreign volunteers at Pattaya Police Station is a good one and I hope it can continue.

Finally I extend an invitation to the Project Leader, Niels Colov, to organize a seminar where both groups can come together and exchange ideas on how we can collectively improve our efforts. I am sure that both groups can improve and a joint seminar would be invaluable in my opinion. I have spoken to Colov about this before, however nothing came of it. The FTPA and FPV groups are unique as I am un-aware of any other Country where Foreigners are allowed to work, as a recognized group, so closely with the Police. Although controversial, both groups have already proved their worth and long may it continue.

Howard Miller

Group Leader Foreign Tourist

Police Assistants (Pattaya)