Golf ban for Thai police

Senior police officers in Thailand are facing a handicap in their careers - they have been banned from playing golf, even in their spare time.

The newly-appointed national police commissioner, General Sant Sarutanont, said too many high-ranking officers were handing over duties to their subordinates while they spent hours playing the time-consuming sport.

As of now it's absolutely prohibited for police to enter a golf course

General Sant Sarutanont

Now, any senior officers found on the golf course could face what they might regard as "rough justice" - disciplinary action or transfer from active duties.

Senior officers should consider themselves always on duty, said the directive.

"Police who are assigned to police stations should be ready for unexpected incidents that might happen at any time," said the order.

"They must be prepared to perform their duties, give service to the public, and devote themselves to problem solving and situational decision making."

Strict policy

Leaving subordinates in charge was "inappropriate behaviour", it said, and any officers unwilling to agree to the golfing ban should request a desk job.

"As of now it's absolutely prohibited for police to enter a golf course," said General Sant Sarutanont.

Tiger Woods: Popular in Thailand

The police force is a prestigious career option in Thailand - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was a serving officer before leaving to build up the telecommunications firm that made him a billionaire.

And golf is becoming increasingly popular too, partly due to the huge following of world number one Tiger Woods, whose mother is Thai. Thanks to Tigermania, the nation's golf industry is estimated to double in value this year to about $44m (2.0 billion baht).

The golfing ban is similar to an order given to South Korean civil servants in June. The Prime Minister, Lee Han Dong, said playing golf was against public sentiment at a time when the nation was suffering difficulties, including drought and a general strike.