Sure, the justice system in Thailand is messed up, but the rest of the world isn’t helping. Within one week of 26-year-old Swedish tourist Hanna Backlund’s death, a manhunt was launched, reward money was put up by local businesses, the supposed killer was arrested, a media circus ensued, the Swedish media was appeased and everyone was happy… well, as happy as could be expected after the death of a young woman.

The problem with this case is that everything happened too fast and those same people who are quick to criticize the police for not doing their jobs are happy to sit back as if this is any better. Firstly, 100,000 baht reward money was put up by local businesses for information that would lead police to the killer, which is strange in itself. That money was collected and donated by the Phuket Tourist Association.

But get this: The alleged killer’s wife and father provided police with the information that lead to Akkaradej “Chon” Tankae’s arrest, so police initially said that those two would get the money. A number of complaints later and Phuket Provincial Police will now hold a committee so they can decide what to do with the reward money.

Perhaps Chon is responsible, or perhaps the money was put up as a payoff for him taking the rap for something he didn’t do. We may never know.

The real problem comes when foreigners see how money was the key factor in this case being solved. People who have previously slammed Thailand and its corrupt police force then double back on themselves and start considering how far their own money will get them in the search for justice.

Westerners often come to Thailand and complain about how backwards the place is, but when they want something, they’re prepared to embrace that backwardness. Time and time again, foreigners who have become frustrated with police work decide that throwing money at the police will solve a problem. Corruption in Thailand is often veiled, however thinly, to at least give the appearance of regularity.