After months of suspension, police checkpoints are to resume across the country today as approved by police commander Suwat Jangyodsuk.
Shortly after he took the top position at the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Pol Gen Suwat decided to put the checkpoints on hold, citing motorists' complaints about rampant extortion by some unscrupulous officers whom he said badly tainted the police's image. Most of the complaints pointed fingers at alcohol checkpoints.
In altering his order, the police chief insisted all checkpoints will operate with transparency as the spots will be fitted with closed-circuit television devices to record what's happening. Before setting up a checkpoint, officers will be required to seek permission from senior officers who oversee the areas.
It is reported that all checkpoints, that is those concerning crime or narcotics suppression missions, anti-drink driving, and pollution control work, will be streamlined and regulated so they have the same standards.
Deputy police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, the officer in charge of traffic police, cited a rise in traffic law violators, drink driving, motorcyclists riding on the wrong side of the road, and migrant labour smuggling, for instance, as reasons for reviving police checkpoints.
In any case, the police chief must guarantee there will be no illegal checkpoints with officers found to be setting up structures on a whim, without approval from their commanders.
It's known that even though the RTP has tried to suppress these kinds of illegal checkpoints in the last few years, there were reports that some officers still discreetly continued with them.
Undeniably, illegal checkpoints are associated with low salaries among rank and file police and poor welfare payments in the system.
It would be good if police could ensure transparency and accountability with the use of technology.
Motorists who are unfairly treated also have social media as an outlet to expose any wrongdoing by officers.
In principle, each checkpoint must have a clear chart carrying the names of officers on duty and also the commanders. There must be the telephone numbers of those responsible so people can make contact to challenge irregularities.
Police have to have a good reason for setting up a checkpoint, for instance, if the area in question has a high crime rate, or is known for illegal motorcycle racing activities.
More importantly, when setting up a checkpoint, the officers in charge must be concerned about safety, ensuring that the spot in question can be easily noticed by motorists and that there is enough space for motorists to slow down in time.
This will help them avoid crashes which have happened too many times in the past simply because some officers couldn't care less.
In fact, when an accident occurs because of a bad checkpoint, the damaged parties can sue and demand compensation from the officers involved, from low-ranking staff to those in higher positions.
In particular, if the police chief really wants to eradicate extortion and boost transparency, he should pay special attention to motorway areas where "systematic kickbacks" are regular.
It's an open secret that such checkpoints are a source of extra income for the officers who mainly target truck drivers. All irregularities which turned up last time must be reduced to zero.