Residents of Phuket are urging authorities to look into a foreign woman who posted photos and videos online while dressed in attire that resembles a Thai police uniform. The Phuket Times shared images of the individual on May 21, showing her in a black vest adorned with a Thai flag and a patch from the Royal Thai Police. In addition, she wore a ‘Police’ hat and carried a card holder with the Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau emblem.
The vest in the images is typically worn by both Thai police and volunteer officers during various operations. Further images depicted the woman riding a motorcycle in the same police-style outfit, which also displayed a green sticker that resembles those used by government agencies in Thailand.
According to reports from Phuket Times, the woman had shared these images on her personal social media account and was believed to be residing in the Patong area of Phuket. The posts sparked discussions online regarding the authenticity of her attire and whether she holds any legitimate ties to law enforcement. Comments from netizens revealed concerns, with one stating, ‘She wore this shirt and then approached foreigners in the province, telling them that she could help them renew their visas or deal with the police.’
Another user remarked, ‘This kind of shirt is available on e-commerce platforms.’ Some noted a connection to her social media, mentioning that her brother or friend operates a motorcycle rental business in Phuket. Others expressed disapproval, emphasizing that ‘A police uniform is not for cosplay, OK?’
There were suggestions that the woman might be unaware that donning clothing similar to police uniforms could breach Thai law.
Under Section 108 of the Royal Thai Police Act, impersonating or dressing as a police officer without authorization can lead to imprisonment ranging from three months to five years. Authorities may also invoke Section 146 of the Criminal Law, which addresses unauthorized use of official uniforms in a misleading manner, carrying possible penalties of up to one year in prison and fines up to 2,000 baht.
As of now, the Phuket police have not confirmed whether an investigation has been initiated. This incident echoes a similar occurrence in December 2023, where a Chinese national donned a Thai police uniform for videos alongside an actual officer, who later clarified that he had lent the uniform for content creation without any illegal implications.
Source: The Thaiger
