SURAT THANI — People who think that policemen can get away with parking anywhere they like haven't been to Surat Thani lately.
The proof is in the picture that went viral after it was shared on the Surat Thani Facebook page on Friday. It shows a parked Mitsubishi pickup truck with the standard police shield and the name of the unit to which it belongs — Provincial Police Region 8.
What's unusual is that the right front wheel of the pickup is clamped and there's a parking ticket on the windshield.
"My appreciation for the good example and equal treatment," wrote the pertson who posted the surprising image.
A subsequent investigation found the truck had been parked on Ratbamrung Soi 2, where parking is banned on even-numbered dates. The sign to that effect was right next to it.
Pol Sen Sgt Maj Sangkhom Tiangpranee, head of a traffic unit at the Muang district station, spotted the truck when he was patrolling on a motorcycle at 7am on Friday. He reportedly stopped, clamped its wheel and wrote a ticket.
Later, a man named Komnat Atisuwandej came to the police station to pay the 500-baht fine and Pol Sen Sgt Maj Sangkhom removed the clamp.
Boonwee Munkong, 46, the owner of a second-hand garment shop nearby, said the truck often parked there.
"Up until now, I thought the police wouldn't dare touch it. It's so good to see a policeman with the courage to write a ticket," she said.
Pol Lt Col Nipon Chatree, the deputy traffic police commander of the district, said traffic was heavy in the morning on the road. "When Pol Sen Sgt Maj Sangkhom found the truck, he impartially enforced the law and wrote the ticket as if the truck belonged to a civilian."
Pol Lt Gen Tesa Sirivatho, chief of Provincial Police Region 8, said that after he heard the news, he found the owner of the truck was a deputy superintendent.
"I asked his supervisor to give me more details. When a civilian breaks traffic laws, we take legal action. But when the offender is a police officer, a disciplinary investigation is also required," he said.
"The officer who strictly performs his duty deserves to be commended. I may summon him to give him verbal praise or give him a certificate to boost his morale and to make him an example," he said.
At noon on Friday, Pol Col Visut Poophansri, superintendent of the Muang police station, gave Pol Sen Sgt Maj Sangkhom a reward and thanked him for a job well done.
The receipt (left) and the ticket after the fine was paid.
Pol Sen Sgt Maj Sangkhom Tiangpranee receives a reward from Pol Col Visut Poophansri, superintendent of the Muang police station, on Friday.