How did you get this job?
Before we retired, we used to work with Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Surasak Boonsriphirat. He knows that we have a lot of experience, so he invited us to do this job. We are in charge of criminal investigations at Chatuchak Market. We patrol every corner of the market from 5.30am to 10.30pm. Specifically, around noon, we go undercover as visitors to the market in order to protect the real visitors from crime.

How can you pick out the criminals?
General visitors and criminals are obviously different. Visitors come here to shop; they look at products and chat with store owners. The criminals always eye up the people around them, spy on people’s luggage and try to push their way into crowded places, but buy nothing.

What do you like most about working here?
It’s an opportunity to help our society, which I am very proud of. I get to take care of both Thai and foreign visitors because Chatuchak Market is the world’s largest weekend market. As so many foreigners flow into this market, so too do the criminals.

What is your most memorable case?
At Chatuchak, it’s mostly just small cases. The most memorable­—and riskiest—case of my career happened while I was a policeman. I was working undercover for the Phayathai police station and my team and I were ordered to look after the pawnshops in Kingpetch Alley on Phetchaburi Road. At the time, thieves would often pawn their stolen goods there. In this one case, two thieves stole a radio and went into this pawnshop where I was hiding out. When confronted, they attacked me and I chased them out into the alleyway. When I drew my pistol, one of the thieves pointed his gun at me. At that moment, my life was hanging by a thread. We pulled the trigger at the same time, but in the end it was I that killed him. Thankfully, the criminal’s parents understood my action, that it was my duty and I had to protect myself. Their son had committed many crimes. At the time, he was on probation from juvenile court in Southern Thailand and had fled to Bangkok. I received B5,000 as a reward from my commander and I made the front page of many newspapers.

What do you think of people’s negative perception of the police?
I don’t feel anything. It’s normal. Police are humans, too. We are just like other people in society­—there are good and bad people.

Do you have any advice for Chatuchak visitors?
You should be careful of your belongings like wallets, cameras, and mobile phones. You should carry your backpack on your front so you can easily look after it. Also, watch out for foreign criminals because they have more experience than Thais. Be careful!