a several incidents which showed that the police n his early period d not take its as protector of serious n 1897, hon Chaisi was a major sugar producing area. Officials in this town had to turn a blind eye to the robbery of cattle and buffaloes because most of the sugar factory owners used these stolen beasts work police were to op the robbery, sugar factories would have to be closed down, and the government revenue from the tax on sugar would cease government had to employ a large number of workers to build the railway to the north The building for the to be completed quickly for security reasons, Workers project had recruited from the northeast. They were a lot gambled, and robbed people. Local villagers living along the construction route were troubled these toughs. The government was fully aware of the problems did not take any because labour was difficult to find. It feared that the workers would run away and the project would be delayed. Krom raya Damrong, who was then minister of interior, believed that after the construction was completed the problem would disappear of its own accord The early police was also used to protect the government's business interests. In 1921 a dispute broke out between the government and the East Asiatic Company over the production of coal in Chumpon. Chao Phraya Yommarat, the director of police, ordered the police in the province to patrol the site of the dispute in order to protect the interests of the government which was the major shareholder of the coal mine. Chao Phraya Yommarat was overseeing the company on behalf of the government. The presence of the police was meant to intimidate the East Asiatic Company Moreover, the conditions under which the early police force as created militated against the force functioning as protection for the communit rst, recruitment was difficult. In the beginning the government invested little funds in the police force. It recruited through conscription and paid low salaries. Living conditions were tough many conscripts ran away. Later the government paid the police a regular salary, but the salary was still low and the problem of desertion persisted. Recruitment difficulties forced to the government to accept people f low was full of raya the police force o period and in the early alcoholics crooks slaves work, opium pointed Second, virtually all of the police directors were a Rama from the m They the police like an army. In King trust. VI's me, the police director was chosen from men he could ction was not based on suitability in terms of previous training and other qualitie irregular. Some policemen did Third, promotion criteria were Some were totally not receive any promotion for many years. connections d because of good qualified but were promote salary problems by Fourth, some policemen solved their low their position and becoming robbers themselves, Others abused police officers made money in various ways. For example, some for their stole the salaries and allowances of their subordinates private use. Some extorted protection money from gambling house owners, opium dens and prostitutes. Fifth, the authorities were rather lenient in disciplining and punishing the police fo fear that the police would not cooperate in the government's efforts to extend its authority over the upcountry provinces. In sum, this early stage in the development of the polic moulded a force which was designed to impose central authority rather than afford community protection; which was poorly paid and disciplined; and which still tended to live off the land i the style of gin muuang administration, of the police force The second stage in the development power after occurred in the context of the rise of military the start, the and more particularly from 1938 onwards. From state main function of the police had been to protect the extend its power. After the military assumed contr w government, the security of the state became confused ca perpetuation of military dominated government. The police or to be part of the mechanism to control or eliminate rivals opponents of the political generals The police director and deputy directors continued to appointed from the ranks of military officers The new police