Dave Barry's Blog: THIS SHOULD KEEP PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS

December 30, 2008

For the first week of the year...highway policemen in Thailand will wear the masks "to lift the mood of motorists," according to police officials.

Thai_police_smile

(Thanks to cedda and DavCat)

Comments

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Policeman Pennywise?

Posted by: Mike Marsh | December 30, 2008 at 12:49 PM

the unknown po-leeceman!

Posted by: queensbee | December 30, 2008 at 12:57 PM

And then they blame protesters for "frightening away tourists"??

Posted by: KJP | December 30, 2008 at 01:27 PM

When Thai-ish fuzz are smiling,
Best beware the Taser's sting.
In the lilt of Thai-ish laughter
You can hear the jail door swing.
When Thai-ish cops are happy,
All the cuffs seem tight, so pray.
And when Thai-ish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they'll tow your car away.

Posted by: Meanie the Blue | December 30, 2008 at 01:47 PM

Who watches "The Watchmen"?...

Posted by: Allen at Division | December 30, 2008 at 01:57 PM

Good one Meanie.
It's getting so you can't tell the cops from the robbers anymore.

Posted by: NotSherly | December 30, 2008 at 02:03 PM

"When I was in the United States, their highway police seemed to be more fierce than Thai police. I was scared of them."

They make fierceness sound like a bad thing.

Posted by: Erb's Point | December 30, 2008 at 02:10 PM

So they are planning to lift the spirits of motorist by scaring their children?

Posted by: Margaritaville | December 30, 2008 at 02:38 PM

Who was that masked man?

Posted by: Layzeeboy | December 30, 2008 at 03:01 PM

Well, the country's courts and king recently decided that Thais can't have democracy, but at least they have this small consolation.

Posted by: OSweet | December 30, 2008 at 03:19 PM

I always heard "Smile. It makes people wonder what you have been up to."

Posted by: Buford | December 30, 2008 at 04:37 PM

an armed clown on a motorcycle? pennywise meets the village people?

Posted by: mudstuffin | December 30, 2008 at 04:47 PM

I don't think CHIPS would have been as popular if Eric Estrada had worn this mask. Can you imagine asking an American Highway Patrolman to wear something like this???

Posted by: nursecindy | December 30, 2008 at 05:06 PM

They will have to cut a donut hole in the front of that thing.

Posted by: MartiniShark | December 30, 2008 at 06:15 PM

Here in sunny southern arizona, where we (and the motorcycle cops) can ride 350+ days a year, the law states that "... motorcycle cops will frown and/or look mean & mad AT ALL TIMES." There is NO exception to this law for any reason, including while wearing masks, or looking at cute puppies.

Posted by: azred | December 30, 2008 at 06:53 PM

"Hello, I'm Officer Joker. Let me put a smile on that face..."

Posted by: Wes S. | December 30, 2008 at 09:36 PM

azred - they try that out here in LA, too. I stare at them until they smile. Tee-hee.

Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | December 30, 2008 at 10:10 PM

Yuk. Too 'Bangkokwork Orange.'

Posted by: SW | December 31, 2008 at 12:53 AM

snork @ wes...

really.

Posted by: judi | December 31, 2008 at 12:54 AM

Ok, since nobody has said it:

"Why so serious?"