I read on the Pattay City news that a gang of young people (15 to 17) had been arrested for many thefts occuring over a long period of time in Pattaya. I also noticed that the pictures of these theives were taken with their faces covered partially by a ski mask.

 

It seems to me that no matter the country (and yes I disagree with the same policy in the USA), people who commit crimes (alleged) should be revealed. I know that saving face is important in Asia so I believe this may help in combating crime. Views?

I read on the Pattay City news that a gang of young people (15 to 17) had been arrested for many thefts occuring over a long period of time in Pattaya. I also noticed that the pictures of these theives were taken with their faces covered partially by a ski mask.

 

It seems to me that no matter the country (and yes I disagree with the same policy in the USA), people who commit crimes (alleged) should be revealed. I know that saving face is important in Asia so I believe this may help in combating crime. Views?

 

Not long ago Thailand passed a regulation prohiiting publication of photos of the faces of alleged criminals. The press vehemently protested the regulation. I never heard whether the regulation was lifted, but most of the time the faces of accused criminals are still published. If an alleged criminal has something with which to cover his face, the police do not seem to prevent him from doing so.

 

In my view, I am not opposed to publishing photos of people arrested for committing crimes, but I would be opposed to forcing people to pose for such photos.

 

Several articles that appear in the Pattaya City News do show the faces of those arrested. In this particular article, the boys arrested were juveniles, between the ages of 15 and 17. Personally, I see no reason to hide the face of a criminal simply because he is a juvenile. However, I think Thailand does strictly prohibit photos of juvenile offenders, hence the ski masks.

 

If anyone wants to see the article we're talking about and the photos of the ski masked boys, click the following link: http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_03_10_49_3.htm

 

 

Not long ago Thailand passed a regulation prohiiting publication of photos of the faces of alleged criminals. The press vehemently protested the regulation. I never heard whether the regulation was lifted, but most of the time the faces of accused criminals are still published. If an alleged criminal has something with which to cover his face, the police do not seem to prevent him from doing so.

 

In my view, I am not opposed to publishing photos of people arrested for committing crimes, but I would be opposed to forcing people to pose for such photos.

 

Several articles that appear in the Pattaya City News do show the faces of those arrested. In this particular article, the boys arrested were juveniles, between the ages of 15 and 17. Personally, I see no reason to hide the face of a criminal simply because he is a juvenile. However, I think Thailand does strictly prohibit photos of juvenile offenders, hence the ski masks.

 

If anyone wants to see the article we're talking about and the photos of the ski masked boys, click the following link: http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_03_10_49_3.htm

 

My view is one of presumption of innocense and these pics do not help the alleged criminal's defense. These pictures are seldom taken at the crime scene but staged later at the police station. They are photo ops for the police officials. Taking pictures of alleged juvenile criminals accomplishes nothing and it's certainly not a crime deterrent.

My view is one of presumption of innocense and these pics do not help the alleged criminal's defense. These pictures are seldom taken at the crime scene but staged later at the police station. They are photo ops for the police officials. Taking pictures of alleged juvenile criminals accomplishes nothing and it's certainly not a crime deterrent.

 

Agreed. In Thailand it's more presumption of guilt. We read articles all the time in which an alleged criminal is caught, confesses to the crime, confesses to every other crime he's ever committed in his life, and even re-enacts the crime for the police. Your guess is as good as mine as to how the police manage to accomplish that.