Bangkok: The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has confirmed reports of a training program for Chinese volunteer police officers, clarifying that the Metropolitan Police Division 3 was not the organizer but only provided lecturers for the program. The training initiative was spearheaded by a prominent university located in Thonburi.
According to Thai News Agency, there were earlier reports indicating that Metropolitan Police Bureau 3 had organized a training course for Chinese people to become volunteer police officers under the Royal Thai Police, charging a fee of 38,000 baht per participant. Upon completing the course, participants were to receive a certificate of completion signed by the Commander of Metropolitan Police Bureau 3's Investigation, along with a radio code for reporting crimes and several other devices.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam Boonsom, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, has taken action following these reports by instructing Pol. Maj. Gen. Kiattikul Sonthinen, the Commander of Metropolitan Police Bureau 3, to thoroughly investigate the matter. The initial findings from the Metropolitan Police Bureau 3 Commander confirmed the authenticity of the news but clarified that the training was conducted under the auspices of a renowned university in Thonburi, which had invited police officers from Bureau 3 to serve as lecturers for the training sessions.
The issue of whether Chinese participants should be allowed to receive training as volunteer police officers is currently under investigation. Authorities are examining the potential involvement of the Director of Investigation, Metropolitan Police Division 3, in the project and verifying whether he signed the certificates of completion.