Last week's news about a security guard raping a condominium resident in Bangkok is not just another criminal case -- it reflects a systemic flaw within the Royal Thai Police (RTP), which is responsible for granting permits to security guards.
The assault happened in the small hours of Jan 4 at a condominium in Bang Khae district. The 41-year-old suspect, identified as the condo's head of security, Montri Yaikrathong, was charged with the rape of a 36-year-old resident, who had asked for his help to call a locksmith after she was locked out of her apartment. After later seeing the locksmith off the premises, Montri returned and attacked the victim, restraining her with a pair of handcuffs before assaulting her. He managed to flee before being arrested three days later in his home province of Sa Kaeo.
Public outrage grew stronger after it was revealed the suspect was a former convict and had been jailed twice before -- the most recent conviction was for raping a minor, which saw him serve four years before being released in 2017.
According to the Business Security Act (2015), people convicted of sex crimes are banned from applying for security guard licences. The public is now questioning how Montri managed to get one despite having a criminal record.
The RTP immediately launched an investigation against the Metropolitan Police Bureau's Administration Division 5, which issued Montri his security guard licence on Nov 28, 2019. That said, their initial response has failed to bolster public trust in the force.
RTP spokesman Pol Maj Gen Yingyot Thepjamnong reportedly said that since the police are constantly dealing with an avalanche of paperwork from security companies, some applications may not have been properly vetted. In practice, instead of running its own background checks, the RTP simply relies on information supplied by security firms.
This case puts the role of the RTP, as the regulator tasked with issuing permits to security guards nationwide into question. It is widely known that many retired policemen and military officers are now executives of security companies. The RTP has to determine if this played a role in the incident and investigate those who were responsible for granting a permit to the suspect.
That said, the bigger challenge now is to bolster public trust and improve public safety. This case has stoked fear among residents of condominiums and public housing estates, and such fear is well justified. After all, who can they turn to for safety if they can't trust their security guards or police officers?
Needless to say, this case has also damaged the image of security guards, many of whom work in communities and residential buildings.
Security guards can help the police's work. But in reality, these guards have been mostly reduced to manning the gates of residential communities. In Phuket, there is an ongoing project which shows that active collaboration between community security guards and the police force can make communities safer. On the island, all security guards must undergo basic training by local police, which has resulted in a network that promotes cooperation in investigations.
The RTP should strive to emulate the scheme nationwide, instead of dodging their responsibilities.
