PM Prayut to decide on calls for removal of national police chief

 

FILE photo

 

BANGKOK, 29th May 2018 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has responded to calls for the removal of the national police chief for what many consider to have been excessive use of force in the arrest of a former activist Buddhist monk. 

Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Monday that he, as the leader of the government, would like to offer the public an apology for the police’s recent raid and arrest of 62-year-old Suwit Thongprasert, who was best known as Phra Buddha Issara — an activist monk defrocked last Thursday. 

PM Prayut said that he realized the police’s action has had an impact on many, who viewed the arrest as an excessive use of force. 

He stated that the police have planned an investigation into the arrest process and penalties will be laid upon those who are found guilty. 

When asked if this investigation might even lead to the removal of the national police chief, the PM said that such a decision would be made by himself, although it would not be done because of pressure from any particular group.

 

-- nnt 2018-05-29

When you start catching bad guys in Thailand you find out some are too dangerous too handle. Honor among thieves apparently.

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

PM Prayut said that he realized the police’s action has had an impact on many, who viewed the arrest as an excessive use of force. 

a reaction to reactionary religious zealots

Can he save suwit thongprasert ?

If not? 

Could Suthep be next? 

Wouldn't that be terrible? 

You never know when the worms will turn in Thailand. 

24 minutes ago, webfact said:

When asked if this investigation might even lead to the removal of the national police chief, the PM said that such a decision would be made by himself, although it would not be done because of pressure from any particular group.

 

Enter Big Joke, stage left.

 

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

When asked if this investigation might even lead to the removal of the national police chief, the PM said that such a decision would be made by himself

So says Thailand's one and only supreme decision maker of the land. Why does he not refer it to committee which is the usual excuse not to have to make a decision?

I see the national police chief looming as the scapegoat for the PM's misguided apology to the monks. 

So they're going to lay penalties on the police for doing their job for a change. No wonder they don't bother normally. It would appear that the abbot has got some dirt on the Man-Child.... and those that installed him as PM. 

10 minutes ago, Cadbury said:

So says Thailand's one and only supreme decision maker of the land. Why does he not refer it to committee which is the usual excuse not to have to make a decision?

I see the national police chief looming as the scapegoat for the PM's misguided apology to the monks. 

Yes-'Face' must now be saved at all costs...reforming the conservative religious hierarchy has never really been on the agenda as it lends very powerful support to the eternal status quo...

 

I wonder,yeah I wonder, who is backing the monks?

Why should the chief of police be removed for using appropriate measures to arrest a man who in the past has exercised tendencies not in keeping with normal Buddhist monks, notably during the 2013/14 PDRC protests?

They did not know if he was armed and might resist arrest. 

In this case, I personally agree with police procedure.

Sadly Buddhism is going the way of most major religions perverted by wealth, power, ignorance, and blind devotion. 

1 hour ago, stephen tracy said:

So they're going to lay penalties on the police for doing their job for a change. No wonder they don't bother normally. It would appear that the abbot has got some dirt on the Man-Child.... and those that installed him as PM. 

Unfortunately (almost???) everyone in Thailand in any form of government position, elected, appointed or purchased has skeletons in the cupboard.  That person is then captive to those who know details of those misdeeds.  A very common dynamic all over the world.  Just universal, or semi-universal here.

What kind of example is this setting? A monk has commited serious crimes. He should be punished like anyone else. No matter who his friends are, no one can should be given special treatment.

The whole civil service has become more heavy handed and arrogant after the coup.  He and the coup have scarred Thailand reputation. 

You can get away with extorting millions in bribes but get heavy handed with a dodgy monk and you lose your job. 

 

Despite being defrocked the ex-monk is obviously still considered such. If such force were used on the local drug dealer would anyone have a problem?

 

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

PM Prayut to decide on calls for removal of national police chief

Perfect, it's the one time I would agree with the great leader if he removes this cop.

But not for arresting the Monk!

16 minutes ago, madmitch said:

You can get away with extorting millions in bribes but get heavy handed with a dodgy monk and you lose your job. 

 

Despite being defrocked the ex-monk is obviously still considered such. If such force were used on the local drug dealer would anyone have a problem?

 

 

Unfortunately, many people cannot process this information. Most will say, “but he’s a monk”. You’ll remind them he’s been arrested for several crimes and they’ll agree. Followed by, “but he’s a monk”. Bring in any analogies or comparisons and you’ll see them freeze and crash. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

PM Prayut said that he realized the police’s action has had an impact on many, who viewed the arrest as an excessive use of force. 

I suspect that the 4 million Muslims in the South have no such concerns.

No need after we will audit all you with the new VIP jail being built..You to have enabled a no reform policy last 4 years. KARMA is coming.

50 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

Unfortunately, many people cannot process this information. Most will say, “but he’s a monk”. You’ll remind them he’s been arrested for several crimes and they’ll agree. Followed by, “but he’s a monk”. Bring in any analogies or comparisons and you’ll see them freeze and crash. 

There time will come

6 hours ago, webfact said:

the PM said that such a decision would be made by himself

Isn't it weird? Putschist as the sole decider regarding the sacking of a National Police Chief.

5 hours ago, stephen tracy said:

So they're going to lay penalties on the police for doing their job for a change. No wonder they don't bother normally. It would appear that the abbot has got some dirt on the Man-Child.... and those that installed him as PM. 

 

Most countries require their police to act in accordance with strict guidelines and investigate complaints of excessive force. 

 

However, here, as with all things, it will only be selectively applied.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

When asked if this investigation might even lead to the removal of the national police chief, the PM said that such a decision would be made by himself,

And that sums up this country perfectly .

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

the PM said that such a decision would be made by himself

Not by accident and no big deal.

When NCPO Chief Prayut had himself appointed by his self-appointed NLA as PM following his military coup in May 2014, he also became Chairman of the Royal Thai Police Board with Gen. Prawit as Vice Chairman. While the Board votes on who the National Police Chief (aka Commissioner-General), no doubt the presence of Prayut also as NCPO Chief and Prawit on the Board will lead to select whomever Prayut and his mentor Prawit decide.

To date since the coup, Prayut has appointed four National Police Chiefs:

• May 2014 - NCPO Deputy Chief Adul Sangsingkeo becomes National Police Chief
• May 2014 - Pol Gen Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit replaces Adul¹
• Aug 2014 - Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmoung replaces Watcharapol²
• Aug 2015 - pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda replaces Somyot (effective Oct 2015)

(I apologize in advance for any inaccuracies-succession not easy to follow)

  ¹ Watcharapol was a subordinate to Gen Prawit as Deputy Secretary-General of the PM's Office   

²  Watcharapol is "elected" NACC Chief in Dec 2015

2 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Most countries require their police to act in accordance with strict guidelines and investigate complaints of excessive force. 

 

However, here, as with all things, it will only be selectively applied.

This time the police got it right. This ex-monk is a thug and charged with robbery and running an illegal secret society. He was also connected with violent acts on civilians and his guards had the audacity to attack 2 plainclothes policemen, took their valuables and detained them. He is a dangerous felony and police justified in their apprehension method. You don’t think he is a dangerous.

 

1 minute ago, Eric Loh said:

This time the police got it right. This ex-monk is a thug and charged with robbery and running an illegal secret society. He was also connected with violent acts on civilians and his guards had the audacity to attack 2 plainclothes policemen, took their valuables and detained them. He is a dangerous felony and police justified in their apprehension method. You don’t think he is a dangerous.

 

 

Shame your comprehension problems aren't improving. Or is it just a habit for trying to make up things others never wrote?

 

Read my previous post slowly, think about it, and if you still can't understand the point, hard luck. But don't claim others write things they haven't - it's against forum rules.

14 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

This time the police got it right. This ex-monk is a thug and charged with robbery and running an illegal secret society. He was also connected with violent acts on civilians and his guards had the audacity to attack 2 plainclothes policemen, took their valuables and detained them. He is a dangerous felony and police justified in their apprehension method. You don’t think he is a dangerous.

 

Charged maybe - convicted NO.

8 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Shame your comprehension problems aren't improving. Or is it just a habit for trying to make up things others never wrote?

 

Read my previous post slowly, think about it, and if you still can't understand the point, hard luck. But don't claim others write things they haven't - it's against forum rules.

You posted that police should act in accordance with strict guidelines and you claimed that this raid was selective. I replied that the method seem in line with apprehending a dangerous felony. You seem to be forgetting things you wrote easily. Careful mate, it could be a symptom.