Golf Ban for Thai Police by Phairath Khampha 17 October 2001 Thai police are notorious for being corrupt, lazy, irresponsible, slacking off and basically just acting like adolescent, pompous asses who strut around self-importantly. And because of this fact, senior police officers in Thailand faced a handicap in their careers - they were officially banned from playing golf, even in their spare time. The newly-appointed national police commissioner, General Sant Sarutanont, said too many high-ranking officers were handing over duties to their subordinates while they spent hours and hours playing the time-consuming sport during paid time. Now, any senior officers found on the golf course faced what they might regard as "rough justice" - disciplinary action or transfer from active duties. Senior officers should consider themselves always on duty, said the directive. "Police who are assigned to police stations should be ready for unexpected incidents that might happen at any time," said the order. "Not be out somewhere playing golf. They must be prepared to perform their duties, give service to the public, and devote themselves to problem solving and situational decision making." Strict policy Leaving subordinates in charge, although normal practice, was "inappropriate behaviour", it said, and any officers unwilling to agree to the golfing ban should request a desk job. "As of now it's absolutely prohibited for police to enter a golf course," said General Sant Sarutanont. The police force is a prestigious career option in Thailand because in addition to the fact one can self-importantly abuse power, there are many opportunities to extort people and collect handsome bribes-- a very common practice of almost every policeman in Thailand. Most seem to have dozens of times more wealth than could ever be possible from their official salaries. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was a serving officer before leaving to build up the telecommunications firm that made him a billionaire. And golf is becoming increasingly popular too, partly due to the huge following of world number one Tiger Woods, whose mother is Thai. Thanks to Tigermania, the nation's golf industry is estimated to double in value this year to about $44 million (2.0 billion baht). Also, on the golf course one can self-importantly rub shoulders with the country's economic and political elite. The golfing ban was similar to an order given to South Korean civil servants in June. The Prime Minister, Lee Han Dong, said playing golf was against public sentiment at a time when the nation was suffering difficulties, including drought and a general strike.