Bangkok Police Employ Unconventional Disguises for Undercover Arrests
Police officers from Bangkok's metropolitan bureau have been making headlines for their creative undercover tactics, using disguises such as lion dancers at temple fairs to apprehend suspects. In a recent operation, Captain Lertvarit Lertvorapreecha and a colleague dressed as performers during lunar new year celebrations to track down a suspected thief.
The mission required less than 24 hours of preparation, with no time for practice. Captain Lertvarit accidentally wore his colleague's male mask along with a red silk dress, trousers, and tactical shoes. Despite the hasty setup, the disguise proved effective, attracting children and amusing passersby while allowing officers to surprise the suspect.
Successful Arrest Amidst Festive Chaos
The suspect, accused of stealing Buddhist artefacts worth approximately £47,717, was wrestled to the ground in a flurry of red and gold fabric. He is now in prison awaiting trial. Captain Lertvarit explained that the inspiration for such disguises comes from fieldwork and criminal profiling, noting that the suspect was a professional thief with a history of evading capture.
"The fastest way of arresting someone is to surprise them, when they're enjoying life, not knowing what's going on around them," said Lertvarit. He added that the suspect was very aware of his surroundings and a skilled runner, making traditional approaches difficult. At the time of arrest, the suspect was carrying a knife and has since confessed to some robberies.
Beyond Social Media: Serious Crime Focus
While footage of these operations often goes viral on social media, police emphasize that the tactics are not merely for online attention. They have been used to apprehend criminals accused of serious offences, including rape and sexual assaults against children. In one notable case from 2024, an officer crawled through rice fields in a ghillie suit to arrest a man wanted for sexually assaulting a minor, fearing the suspect would spot a conventional approach.
Another operation involved an officer dressed as a Lycra-clad wrestler to arrest a Chinese tourist accused of rape and filming his victim. The suspect had requested a wrestler for swinging, and when he arrived at a hotel room, backup officers emerged from hiding places to seize evidence, including videos on his phone.
Public Perception and Police Response
The bureau has rejected claims that these operations are geared towards social media content, asserting they lead to real arrests. Disguises are typically reserved for experienced criminals or those with a history of fleeing. Captain Lertvarit noted that public response has been overwhelmingly positive, though polling shows mixed attitudes towards Thai police, with some surveys indicating high confidence and others highlighting corruption concerns.
Lertvarit hopes that sharing footage of these operations will demonstrate the police's commitment to fighting crime and send a message to criminals that "the world is getting smaller every day." These innovative methods continue to blend traditional policing with modern tactics, ensuring suspects cannot hide from the invisible.
