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Police "Ang Pao" Photos Spark Criticism, Buak.com Explains

Police "Ang Pao" Photos Spark Criticism, Buak.com Explains

Thairath•Society•20h ago

Reader Briefing

Bureau of Metropolitan Police clarifies traditional Ang Pao distribution to police during Chinese New Year after social media criticism.

  • •Photos circulating online showed police officers lined up to receive Ang Pao envelopes from a pharmaceutical company.
  • •The Bureau of Metropolitan Police investigated the incident and confirmed it occurred on February 16, 2026.
  • •The company stated the distribution was a traditional Chinese New Year custom for good fortune and encouragement.
  • •The value of the Ang Pao did not exceed legal limits, and it was open to the general public, not targeted at police specifically.

Overview

  • •On February 17, 2026, the Bureau of Metropolitan Police issued a clarification regarding photos of police receiving Ang Pao envelopes.
  • •On February 16, 2026, photos were shared online showing police officers queuing at a pharmaceutical company.
  • •The online sharing of the photos led to widespread social media criticism, with many questioning if police were receiving Ang Pao.
  • •The Bureau of Metropolitan Police stated that the distribution was a traditional practice during the Chinese New Year festival.
  • •The company explained that Ang Pao envelopes were distributed to the general public, including police officers, for auspiciousness and encouragement.
  • •The company clarified that the Ang Pao distribution had no hidden intentions and was purely a traditional custom.
  • •The value of gifted assets did not exceed the amount prescribed by law.
  • •The Bureau of Metropolitan Police has tightened preventive measures and surveillance during the Chinese New Year period.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Bureau of Metropolitan Police
"The said Ang Pao envelope distribution is a traditional practice during the Chinese New Year festival. The company announced invitations for the general public to receive them at designated points, without specifying any individuals. Police officers and officials from various sectors can also receive them like the general public for auspiciousness, good fortune, and encouragement in their duties, with no hidden intentions or expectations of benefits, merely a traditional giving."
การแจกซองอั่งเปาดังกล่าวเป็นการดำเนินการตามธรรมเนียมประเพณีเนื่องในช่วงเทศกาลตรุษจีน ซึ่งบริษัทได้ประกาศเชิญชวนให้บุคคลทั่วไปสามารถเดินทางมารับได้ ณ จุดที่กำหนด โดยมิได้มีการเฉพาะเจาะจงบุคคลใดเป็นพิเศษ รวมถึงเจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจและเจ้าพนักงานจากหน่วยงานภาคส่วนต่าง ๆ ก็สามารถเข้ารับได้เช่นเดียวกับประชาชนทั่วไป เพื่อความเป็นสิริมงคล ความโชคดี และเป็นขวัญกำลังใจในการปฏิบัติหน้าที่ มิได้มีเจตนาแอบแฝงหรือมุ่งหวังผลประโยชน์ตอบแทนใด ๆ ทั้งสิ้น เป็นเพียงการให้ตามธรรมเนียมประเพณีเท่านั้น
Bureau of Metropolitan Police
"The value of the assets given does not exceed what is prescribed by law."
มูลค่าทรัพย์สินที่มอบให้ไม่เกินกว่าที่กฎหมายกำหนดแต่อย่างใด

Key Entities

Organization

Bureau of Metropolitan Police(บช.น.)ℹ️
The police organization that investigated and issued a statement regarding the Ang Pao distribution photos.
Pharmaceutical Company(บริษัทยาหอม)
The company that distributed Ang Pao envelopes, leading to public scrutiny.