Anthropological Archives Database

Year 1958-1961

Duang.

June 18, 1969. Duang was a judge in the Northeast, while Field Marshal Thanom Kitikachon filled the position of lieutenant there. And the present Governor of Chiang Mai (1969) was with the police station in the northeast at the same time.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Bodin talks to a friend of his who just got out the police training school.

May 28, 1969. Badin interviewed his friend who just graduated from the Police Cadet about the process of an investigation of suspects. The interview also revealed the techniques for forcing suspects to comply with confessions, and how to protect themselves if the prosecution acquitted a suspect accused of assault and violence.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Ryang and northern police chief talk on the train.

May 9, 1969. Moerman interviewed Ruang, General Thep and Aj Kew on the train on a variety of topics, such as 1) Because the government officials misused power to persecute the Hmong people, these groups stood up against them. 2) The government had not focused on intelligence work and the risk areas like Chiang Kham district (from the communist threat). 3) Because of low salaries, most police were corrupt. 4) General Thep had trouble working with a subordinate officer, but he could not order or transfer him because the police officer was backed by superior police officers in Bangkok.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Addendum to interview W. Genl. Thep & Col. Suchart.

February 16, 1969. Police from the Crime Suppression Department (?) were able to work across the regions. However, they had to be requested by the local police. Or, if they found that the local police had worked incorrectly, they could intervene.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Interview with Col. Suchart Lienchua asst. police commissioner for the north.

February 16, 1969. Moerman interviewed Police Colonel Suchart Lieuchua, Assistant Police Commissioner in the Northern (?). Various topics were covered such as 1) the police stationed in the big city (like Bangkok ?) took advantage of the investigation over to the police stationed in the provinces because they could use different scientific methods to detect traces in the crime scene. 2) Laws allowed the police to imprison the suspect because of delinquent behavior, criminal association or causing damages to others without submitting court action. 3) It is difficult to prove that the property of the suspect was illegally gained through theft (buying stolen goods). The suspect may insist that they did not know that the goods were stolen before being sold. 4) Each month many police were fired because of corruption cases. However, in some cases, it was due to slander by those who lost benefits because of the arrest

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Interview with Phan Tri accomp. by Chalermchai.

January 9, 1969. Moerman interviewed Chalermchai who was stationed at the local police station in Muang District, Chiang Mai on various topics such as 1) most witnesses did not like to go to court because it was waste of time. And they were afraid the relatives of suspects would do harm if they incriminated the suspect. 2) In most cases, the court relied upon witnesses rather than the circumstances. 3) Regarding those guilty of misdemeanors, the police were able to order the detention of suspects for a month and order a fine lower than 1,000 Baht. 4) Sometimes the police would avoid arresting wrongdoers, such as in the case of gambling, and illegal brewing. They considered people to be the bearer of traditions, even though the activities were in contrast with the law. 5) Due to the lengthy duration of time taken for a filing against the accused, the court usually allowed for an extension on the time to put the accused in jail.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Interview with Thawi About the Police Department

February 8, 1969. Moerman interviewed Thawee on various topics such as 1) During the initial establishment of the Police Department, Mr. Eric Saint J. Lawson, a British national, was hired to help to found the regional police administrative units. 2) Once Thawee asked the permission of the court to put a suspect in jail for 15 additional days, but the court did not allow it. He decided to kidnap him from in front of the court, after the suspect had been released. Thawee believed that the judge in this case benefited by bribery from the suspect. 3) During the change of government (1932), Phraya Athikon (Louis Chatikavanij) served as the Director General of the Police Department. 4) Changes occurred to the Police Department after the change of government. 5) Forensic analysis by Thawee conducted in the laboratory to resolve the cases. 6) The techniques employed in the preparation of testimony and court procedures. 7) Various psychological techniques used in the investigation of suspects, including abuse of power to gain a confession from the suspect.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

American advisors to the provincial police.

February 19, 1969. Moerman interviewed Goryen (?), an American who had served as an advisor for the Regional Police Station in the North on various topics such as a) most of the people did not want to become police because the salaries were low and advancement was difficult with few opportunities. 2) police work included duties such as traffic facilitation. According to the opinion of the Goryen, there should be police assigned to investigation. 3) USOM (?) assisted the Police Department in transportation and communication equipment, but the equipment was used by highly positioned Police for personal reasons.

by : Michael Moerman

Year 1958-1961

Individual policeman.

Early March ?. Joe O'Neil, who served as a member of the Police Department Board in Chiang Mai, received important guests in order to support his campaign to subjugate the brothel under the supervision of the police.