LETTER TO THE EDITOR Vol. 2, Issue 4

The Chief was very polite but made it clear that there were problems within the Foreign Volunteer ranks and many allegations of wrongdoing had been made towards local foreign volunteers.  He  stated  that,  although  no complaints had been received about the  Tourist  Police  Foreign  Assistants,  he will  be investigating  our group along with other groups such as  the Pattaya Police Foreign Volunteer  Group  and  foreigners  who volunteer for the Highway Police.

As Group Leader of the Foreign Tourist Police Assistants (FTPA), I welcome this investigation as we already make stringent checks into new and existing applicants which may not be the case with other organizations. I applaud all foreigners who give up their time to serve the local community, however if they are taking part in illegal activities or their immigration status is questionable, then action must be taken which is why I welcome the Immigration Police check.

 "Foreigners  helping  Foreigners" is a slogan used by the national program  instigated  by  the  Tourist Police  some  years  ago  which  allows  us  to  work  with  the  Tourist Police  to  assist  foreigners  around the  Kingdom  of  Thailand.  Here in Pattaya, the FTPA have helped thousands of people over the years and I am proud to lead the group. I hope  that when  these  Immigration checks  are  concluded  that  Pattaya will have a group or groups of Foreigners  volunteering  their  time  to assist others, who can truly be trusted and can really make a difference, within the confines of Thai Law.

Regards,

Howard Miller

Group Leader

Foreign Tourist Police Assistants

Tourist Police Division, sub-station

4, Region 2

Editor's Response:

Over many years Howard Miller  has  proven  to  be  a  fine  leader and  police  volunteer  and  is  also the  highly-recognizable  presenter and Managing Director of the cable TV program Pattaya One Channel. He was invited to meet the new Immigration Chief heading the investigation because the Tourist Police Assistants, most noticeable on Walking Street and at Tourist Police headquarters on Pratamnak Road, are sometime confused with the Foreign Police Volunteers stationed at Soi 9 assisting the Pattaya Police. Pattaya Times investigation has shown almost all of the complains are against the Foreign Police Volunteers.

The new team of strong, ethical leaders  and  close  friends  Pattaya Immigration  Superintendent  Police Major Anonnat Kamolrat  and Pattaya  Police  Colonel Dr.  Sarayoot  Sanguanphokai  supported  by a group of  local business, political and civic  leaders has begun  investigating  the  backgrounds  of  the Foreign  Police  Volunteers  and  allegations of wrongdoing. The other volunteer police organizations will also be vetted. Resignations are expected and criminal charges against any volunteer who broke Thai law will be levied.

Most  of  the  volunteers  have humble  and  honorable  intentions and do a good of assisting  tourists and  residents  of  Pattaya. Those good  volunteers  and  the  general public  can  step  forward  and  tell what  they  know  about  these    bad  apples so Pattaya can clean up  the corruption,  extortion,  blackmail and  threats  that  have  been  alleged over the last few years.

The volunteers are supposed to act as translators and general information providers only.   If any Pattaya  Times  readers  have  evidence of wrong-doing  by  any  volunteers contact  either of  the Police Chiefs or us  and we will make  sure your voice is head.  We must all work together to clean Pattaya up.  It is our home and it is the best place in the world to live.

The idea of foreigners policing their own is a good one. Show your support by turning in any of the bad police volunteers to the Chiefs.  Pattaya may never have had a better opportunity to rid itself of corruption than now.  

Carpe Diem.....Seize the day!

Yours,

Wanrapa Boonsu
Editor, Pattaya Times newspaper