Former FBI Agent John Schachnovsky Talks Crime & Punishment in Thailand [S8.E21]

In part 1 of a two-part episode, Greg and Ed interview John
Schachnovsky about his upcoming book "Beyond the Badge," which
recounts his experience as the head of the FBI in Thailand. John
starts out explaining his early career with the FBI and his
subsequent move to Bangkok. Greg and Ed ask about the exact role
of the FBI oversees and John explains in detail. First, as a
branch of the U.S. government, the FBI has no legal jurisdiction
in Thailand and must work directly with the Thai government for
everything they do. Second, the FBI's role is entirely distinct
from the CIA. The FBI does law enforcement, the CIA does
intelligence gathering with a focus on American national
security. That being said, the two agencies did and do share
information when it supports their respective missions. 


Next, the men focus on the reputation of the Royal Thai Police,
which, to put it bluntly, is not good. John stresses that he
found the RTP to be hardworking and professional overall, but
admits that in some cases, the RTP had different ideas about what
counts as 'corruption' and what does not. He emphasizes that, at
least in his experience, the reputation is undeserved and he
hopes to correct it in his book, which you can get here, or at
Asia Books in Thailand.


Tune in next week for Part 2 and a discussion of some of John's
more famous cases.