OPINION

Fallen hero

Re: " 'Big Joke' may be guilty in graft case, says panel", (BP, April 6).

What has gone wrong with the Thai media when news commentators and reporters react to the undoing of a deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn, who is facing a criminal charge, as if he is a celebrity, if not a hero.

Pol Gen Surachate has plummeted from a rising star in the police force to an accused defendant in a money laundering case related to online illegal gambling.

Although no person is guilty until proven so, the fact the Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Big Joke suggests there is enough evidence to charge him.

Big Joke even implied that if he falls, the police force will go down with him. Is he making a threat to police who are just as allegedly corrupt not to expose him?

It is sad that, amid all the controversy and accusations, Pol Gen Surachate shows no desire to resign and defend himself via proper legal processes, but claims that his task is to serve the people.

The media who expound so dogmatically his views are spreading misinformation to the public.

Re: " 'Big Joke' may be guilty in graft case, says panel", (BP, April 6).

PM Srettha Thavisin's consistent refusal to reveal what ex-graft buster Vicha Mahakun's panel recommended in reforming the Royal Thai Police and Office of the Attorney-General four years ago opens him to a charge of dereliction of duty.

Had he sent Khun Vicha's recommendations to parliament for review and decisive action, Mr Srettha's own panel might not now have found grounds to suspect deputy top cop Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn of money laundering.

Pol Gen Surachate alleges that top cop Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol (also) had his fingers in the pie.

PM/Police Commissioner Sreetha should immediately send the Vicha report to parliament for transparent action.

Re: "Phuket court responds to surge in tourist-related cases", (BP, April 4).

I well remember the first time I read, while relaxing in Phuket, of the TAT and government's desire to attract "better quality tourists".

I was lunching in an idyllic laid-back tree-shaded beach restaurant on the paradise island that was Phuket some 30 years ago.

Like everyone from that era, I've watched how the desire for "better quality tourists" has changed the "Pearl of the Andaman" into the "Costa del Crime" of the East -- or as it's more generally known: "Little Moscow".

The search for better quality tourists has, in recent times, focused on package tourists from New Delhi and Wuhan and long-stay tourists (soon-to-be residents) with the VIP bonus of a 90-day visa on entry to smoke-filled oligarch meetings and mafia dens of Russia.

Apparently, it has come as a shock that thousands of Chinese have not been staying in Thailand for the sunbathing, but to set up scam centres and indulge in other crimes.

Murder, kidnapping, extortion, fraud and illegal businesses are regular news items in the Phuket press. This island was once raunchy but relaxing, but is now corrupt, greedy and manic.