The law is where? Same the Wild West, who has the power has, is the law?

Posted by Alfred on February 7, 2012 01:13

A policeman with an illegal shop?

Only in Thailand eh?

Beginning to think that Phuket, the place i fell in love with all those years ago, is doomed. On a steady downward slope as greed and crime are rife. I read a good saying the other day which is pretty in describing the situation in Thailand
" The petty thieves we put in jail, and the good ones we put in office"

Posted by sateeb on February 7, 2012 02:14

Everyone knows that Phuket has problems with the Tuk-Tuk (Taxi) Mafia and the Police, yet aren't the Police there to solve problems, not create them? The comment from Anan is appalling.

"Lieutenant Colonel Anan said that it would take him a couple of days to make alternative arrangements about the taxi rank. After hours of talks, he agreed to shut down the taxi rank, but said he intended to maintain his illegal souvenir shop on Kamala beach. ''Everybody makes their own way in business at Kamala,'' he said. ''If I stop my business on the beach everybody must stop, because they are all breaking the law.''

So is Anan saying that illegal business is typical for the common person and the Police? The Police officers should not be allowed to have businesses like this and they should not 'desire' to have illegal businesses.

Posted by EWren on February 7, 2012 02:49

so a policeman blatantly breaking the law and is allowed to get away with it by his superiors ..... this place is getting worse by the day and going downhill fast

Posted by Nick on February 7, 2012 06:35

I agree with the other comments. This is absolutely appaling. A senior police officer breaks the laws because others do the same. Scandalous.

Posted by Ping on February 7, 2012 06:58

You can only shake your head when you read this. Disgracefull how a police officer can run an illegal business? The question is does anybody on Phuket have power or guts to sort out the taxis,tuk tuk, jet skis, illegal businesses and the list goes on. They don't realise they are destroying any future the island has.

Posted by chaseone on February 7, 2012 07:31

"Lieutenant Colonel Anan...agreed to shut down the taxi rank, but said he intended to maintain his illegal souvenir shop on Kamala beach.
''Everybody makes their own way in business at Kamala,"he said." If I stop my business on the beach everybody must stop, because they are all breaking the law".

It is unacceptable to hear that from a senior policeman.
Most of civil servants in Phuket own private businesses and and spend more time to take care of their businesses than doing their duty to reinforce the law, arrest wrongdoers and protect the population.
It is the main reason why we have so many problems plaguing Phuket.
The best solution would be that DSI (Department of Special Investighation) scrutunize more efficiently civil servants bad behaviors.

Posted by Whistle-Blower on February 7, 2012 08:32

This just has too many gems..

A competitive taxi rank is 'illegal'.. Yet its run by a policeman..

The solution to 'illegal' competition is to create an illegal blockade.

The same policeman has an illegal shop.. But thats Ok as everyone else breaks the law.. So he can keep it.

Just gold.. Pure comedy gold..

Posted by LivinLOS on February 7, 2012 08:35

"...he agreed to shut down the taxi rank, but said he intended to maintain his illegal souvenir shop on Kamala beach."

Jaw dropper. I don't like saying things like this, but the place is sinking lower and lower.

Posted by Relic on February 7, 2012 08:42

Kamala operators of illegal business owners protest and complain to the police that their illegal businesses are under threat as police wants a share of the illegal business by setting up illegal businesses on their own.
Wow....

Kamala residents wants justice and understanding as they believe only Kamala residents should be allowed to operate illegal businesses in Kamala!
Another Wow....

Police agree to stop one (own) illegal business and 'reserves the right' to continue with another (own) illegal business!
Wow..Wow...Wow...

Are they all ok?... I am stunned!

Although we all know very well how it works here, to have issues like this in the news is good!

Posted by Mr. K on February 7, 2012 10:39

I think Thailand is ready to host a new reality tv comedy series....and the subject of this article should be the first episode.

Posted by sky on February 7, 2012 10:55

This gem of a story, really needs to go 'viral', why should we be the only ones to get a laugh?

Posted by Laurie Howells on February 7, 2012 11:11

Chicago 1910s, Phuket 2010s.. Mafias running the cities. Now where is Eliot Ness when we need him?

Hopefully there is no need to wait 20 years before his incarnation in Thailand.

Posted by pothole on February 7, 2012 12:05

I would like to see some kind of statement from higher ranked police officers regarding this issue, just to get their opinion.
We all know how it works here and if you don't like it, which obviously most commentators here don't, perhaps it's time to to say goodbye to life on the island.

Posted by phuket madness on February 7, 2012 13:13

The only news in this story is, that someone talks the talk.

And thinking of other police, who really want to throw the first stone? And thinking of higher ups in Bangkok, who really want to throw the first stone?

Laguna bar/cc got its receipt for talking at a public hearing just some days ago. The officer will receive his also. The system does not forget.

Posted by Lena on February 7, 2012 16:46