Below is an excerpt from a Boquete, Panama forum. Ever heard of such a thing in Thailand?

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THANKING OUR LOCAL POLICE
Posted by olga s**** on December 21, 2015 at 3:22pm

For the last two years, a private group of Boquete Expats, comes together to thank the local police departments for their service to the community and try to enhance the relationships between expats and local law enforcement.
These private citizens put money from their own pockets (between $800-$1000) to have a Christmas Luncheon, where police officers bring their spouses and children and just enjoy themselves. They come from all departments David, Dolega, Boquete, DIJ, etc. Their kids each receive a present.

Last year, their first luncheon was at Sabor Escondido with about 80 in attendance, and this year it was at Skate World and the number was greater. Thank you to those venues for accommodating to a limited budget to offer a gesture of gratitude to law enforcement during the Holidays.

So, I would like to thank those who organize it each year, and have a great friendship with the local law enforcement on behalf of all expats, some officers are learning English while our friends better their Spanish. It is because of people such as Ritch and Marguerite, Gene and Linda, Erick and Linda, Peter and others, that local enforcement are viewing expats as their friends. They come to them year round for support with maintenance of their weapons, office supplies and others.
So thank you to Gene & Linda, Ritch and Marguerite and all of their friends and supporters for all you do to help out the Boquete Police Department and DIJ, who have so little funds allocated and try so hard to keep us safe.

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Reply by Ritch and Marguerite H***** 2 hours ago

We are honored to do for the Boquete Police! They have become as family to us and now we celebrate birthdays with each as well! They are a wonderfully, respectful, loving group and we are blessed they have embraced us as well. This year we had additionally Dr. Newton and Janet Osborne plus Colleen Murphy and Jeff Barr donating to the event and celebrating our police. We were only too happy to help raise the funds to repair the vehicle for the local DIP.

They all work very hard to protect us and we are all indebted to them! If there is a need, they know they can ask and we will do what we can. Last year Olga was actually the one who was able to coordinate the lunch at the Sabor for them; we missed not having her here with us this year. It was a warm and fun event enjoyed by all present. We welcome anyone who would want to be part of it going forward.