The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has moved to bring its municipality officers to heel after receiving a slew of complaints about inappropriate behaviour.
A BMA source, who asked not to be named, said City Hall has issued letters asking its relevant offices as well as district offices to make sure municipality officers do not tarnish the image of the capital's administration.
Among the complaints are the way the officers over-accessorise their uniforms which might cause the misunderstanding that they are military or police officers. Hairstyles other than those indicated in the regulations, tattoos and swearing, are other issues the source said.
Complaints also include officers allowing unauthorised signs or street vendors to do business in prohibited areas, failing to regulate the riding or parking of motorcycles on footpaths and other violations of laws on cleanliness and order in the city, the source said.
The BMA has told city inspectors to warn officers found violating the regulations. Three warnings will lead to a potential transfer for the municipal officer as well as their supervisor, the source quoted the letter as saying.
The letter also assigned the BMA municipality office to follow and investigate its officers both openly and secretly, especially when there are complaints about corruption or inappropriate behaviour.
If the investigation finds grounds, a report must be submitted to the BMA permanent secretary to transfer the officers to other areas of work and investigate further, the source said.