A brazen killing of a police inspector in front of dozens of other policemen raises questions about who Thai police really serve and protect, says long-time Thailand watcher Craig Keating.
CANBERRA: A brazen killing of a police inspector at a dinner party attended by more than two dozen policemen in Thailand has shocked the nation, threatening to lift the lid on corruption.
More than 20 officers were present at the party, nearly all of whom were armed. However, none of them intervened: Some fled the scene while others allegedly helped cover up the crime and remove evidence, according to local reports. The deputy national police chief said one of the officers at the party released the gunman after confiscating his handgun, after which he and the local government official reportedly absconded with a police escort.
The murder is but the latest example of an ingrained issue affecting Thai police - and shines a light on the relationship between the police and influential figures in the country. Last month, a National Anti-Corruption Commission report revealed that 86 per cent of police stations nationwide failed integrity and transparency tests - four times higher than the average across all state agencies.
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