Hello Kitty - Punishments in Pink - Essay Example

Once he has blazed through the intersection, he resumes normal driving with the assurance that his behavior is accepted, albeit angrily, by society because of his powerful position. The Thailand government, on the other hand, takes it seriously when their police officers attempt to place themselves above the law. In Bangkok, whether an officer breaks traffic laws, litters, or just arrives to work late, they are reprimanded. In previous years, these officers were given plaid armbands to make them stand out against their lawful brethren, but the officers treated the armbands like novelties.

When Pongpat Chayaphan, the acting chief of the Crime Suppression Division, realized that these bands were not making an impact, he gave them a makeover. The new armbands are now pink and decorated with hearts and the famous Hello Kitty icon. The Hello Kitty armbands may seem humorous and even sweet and adorable to citizens, but Chayaphan claims that this is their purpose. “This new twist is expected to make [the officers] feel guilt and shame and prevent them from repeating the offense [.].

Kitty is a cute icon for young girls. It’s not something macho police officers want covering their biceps (Mydans 1).” If a little girl squeals with glee at the sight of the armband or if a burly motorcyclist sniggers at it, the police officer is humiliated and his sense of masculinity is dropped down a notch. When this occurs, according to Chayaphan’s reasoning, then the armband is a success. The designs on these armbands are an epitome of young girls and sparkly things, which are the last things that macho police officers want to be associated with.

The Hello Kitty armbands of shame have yet to be used by Bangkok police departments. While people might think that their lack of use will never reveal how well they can work, the reality of the situation is quite the opposite. Since the implementation of these pretty armbands, disobedience among police officers has significantly declined. During the months of the short-lived plaid armbands, numerous officers found themselves as the recipients of the laughable attire. When the Hello Kitty armbands were introduced and after the police officers fully comprehended what it would mean to their manly reputations to be caught wearing them, the Bangkok officers got their acts together with lightning speed.

Even though they are not being used, the armbands are still proving to be effective. I find this strange and intriguing fact interesting because it reveals pride as a cornerstone to a police officer’s work. There may be some officers that might be willing to wear the armbands out of fun or to get a laugh, but when it comes down to it, anything that threatens a man’s masculinity is simply unacceptable to them. A pink armband with a cartoon kitty and hearts is enough to deter Bangkok police officers from thinking that they are above rules, regulations, and laws.

When police officers were faced with fines, possible job termination, or even imprisonment, some would simply pay what was due and then return back to their lawless behavior.