Overworked city police have turned to police volunteers to help them keep the streets safe _ but not everyone is happy with the arrangement.
Volunteer policemen, or tamruat ban, gather to help Huai Kwang officers at a checkpoint in front of Ratchadaniwet housing estate in Bangkok. PANUMAS SANGUANWONG
While some police volunteers are happy to do their bit just to keep the streets safe, others have added to the crime rate by taking the law into their own hands.
Police aware of the public deterrent value of a man in uniform have previously set up dummies _ "Ja Yim" (Sergeant Smile) and "Ja Choei" (Sergeant Indifferent) _ to help keep public order.
Now, they have turned to tamruat ban (volunteer police) to help them make up the numbers.
But unlike Ja Yim and Ja Choei _ who are set up at intersections mainly to scare traffic violators _ tamruat ban are allowed to help police in daily routines.
Some members of the public are unhappy about the scheme. They say some tamruat ban are trying to act as "tamruat ching" (real policemen), and are breaking the law.
They have been linked to cases of extorting fines from motorists, setting up unauthorised checkpoints and even collaborating with real police in committing assaults.
Police have recruited volunteers nationwide. They can only work under the supervision of real police, but in some cases have been spotted going it alone.
Without the presence of a real police officer, tamruat ban carry no authority.
Complaints about the volunteers and opposition to their roles from policemen have prompted the Metropolitan Police Bureau to take action to bring its tamruat ban back in line.
Deputy city police chief Manit Wongsombun said some members of the public have trouble telling apart real police from volunteers, because their uniforms are similar.
He plans changes to the uniforms worn by volunteers to make them stand out more.
"I will get tough on their dress code," he said. "Many wear uniforms which are similar to those of real police."
Police regulations require tamruat ban to wear khaki uniforms with signs on their arms reading "tamruat ban" and listing the police stations to which they are associated.
But Pol Maj Gen Manit admitted some tamruat ban do not wear the official uniform. Instead, they modify the uniforms to make themselves look like real police, confusing people.
A complaint, posted on a social media site, said one tamruat ban, who worked at a checkpoint, wore a black overcoat with "POLICE" written on it, which is not allowed under the dress code.
"He was stopping cars for inspections and conducting searches on motorists and passengers," the complaint said.
Police Maj Gen Manit said tamruat ban can only assist with inspections and arrests under police supervision.
He said any members of the public who suspect a tamruat ban is impersonating a police officer should ignore their requests and report them.
He admitted no regulations govern who can become a police volunteer.
He said more stringent training is required to ensure tamruat ban help police work rather than obstruct it.
Central Investigation Bureau chief Pongpat Chayaphan said he disagreed with the city police practice of using tamruat ban to help.
"Police are law enforcers and it is their duty to do this job. They should not encourage people to brave rain and the risk of being endangered by criminals," he said.
However, tuk tuk driver Piyaphan Malihuan said he has taken the police volunteer job because he likes offering his services to the public. "I've also heard tamruat ban at some police stations abuse their roles," Mr Piyaphan said.
"My friends and I only help police to direct traffic," he added.
Pol Maj Gen Manit believes the behaviour of tamruat ban can be improved if they receive proper training. He has no plan to disband them, despite the fuss.
Contact Crime Track: crimetrack@bangkokpost.co.th