Police Clarify Dragon Emblem Has No Chinese Connection
Thai police suspended a dragon emblem at Huay Khwang Station pending proper authorization, denying public concerns it reflects Chinese criminal or business ties and explaining the design simply represents the area's characteristics.
On July 9, Lt. Gen. Trairuang Phiputphan, Royal Thai Police spokesman, addressed public concerns over a dragon emblem worn on uniforms of Huay Khwang Police Station officers. The Metropolitan Police Bureau 1 has temporarily suspended the emblem's use because the authorization process had not yet followed proper national police regulations.
According to Lt. Gen. Trairuang, unit emblems can be created but must comply with procedures set by the Royal Thai Police. Since the process was incomplete, police leadership ordered a suspension pending proper approval through all required steps.
Regarding public suspicions that the dragon emblem might link to Chinese business interests or organized crime, the spokesman denied any such connection. He stated the design was merely drawn from local identity and context—specifically reflecting the area's characteristics as home to the Chinese embassy and a large population of Chinese tourists and business operators. The emblem is intended to help the public identify patrol officers from Huay Khwang Station more clearly, a practice common across many Thai police units that reflect their operational areas and missions.
Lt. Gen. Trairuang noted that other units use symbols representing local tourism landmarks or their specific functions, such as cybercrime units incorporating computer imagery. He emphasized there are currently no complaints or evidence linking the emblem to Chinese interests or corruption. Any officer found involved in wrongdoing will face immediate action according to national police policy.
The Royal Thai Police has instructed all units to comply strictly with regulations governing the use of emblems and symbols on uniforms.
