Police May Cut Thaksin's Rank

[george]

Police may cut Thaksin's rank

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police is considering revoking former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's police rank of lieutenant colonel because he received a jail term in a final court verdict.

Police Maj General Panya Engchuan, commander of the force's Disciplinary Division, said Thursday his office had suggested to the personnel division on Monday (Jan 5) that Thaksin be deprived of his police rank.

He said the suggestion was in line with the regulations for police personnel.

Panya said that, according to the regular procedures, the personnel division was likely to refer the case to police commissioner-general Patcharawat Wongsuwan for further action.

-- The Nation 2009-01-08

[Scott]

But he has shown what appears to be the epitome of police professionalism here in Thailand (oh--except for getting caught)!

[mackayae]

Senior Sargeant Major Thaksin Shinawatra sounds good.

[Chang_paarp]

Why does he need a rank? He is not a copper any more.

[Meerkat]

Why does he need a rank? He is not a copper any more.

Thank god for that. Can you imagine him demoted to traffic duty?

"Kap"

"Kap. You were doing 95 in a 90 zone, kap. That'll be a 76 billion baht fine, kop khun kap."

[BigSnake]

Yeah, like Thaskin could really give a S##T. Not going to hurt his Pocket Book one bit, so who care come on people don't you have better things to do.

[OlRedEyes]

Yeah, like Thaskin could really give a S##T. Not going to hurt his Pocket Book one bit, so who care come on people don't you have better things to do.

It's all part of the effort to keep anti-Thaksin-mania alive, it is very useful indeed.

[jtp]

Why does he need a rank? He is not a copper any more.

Thank god for that. Can you imagine him demoted to traffic duty?

"Kap"

"Kap. You were doing 95 in a 90 zone, kap. That'll be a 76 billion baht fine, kop khun kap."

Haha,that made me laugh "Uh,would you take a cheque officer....?"

[brahmburgers]

Yeah, like Thaskin could really give a S##T. Not going to hurt his Pocket Book one bit, so who care come on people don't you have better things to do.

It's all part of the effort to keep anti-Thaksin-mania alive, it is very useful indeed.

It's about 'face'. demoting or stripping him of rank altogether will add another jab to Thaksin's face (his all important image he wants to project to his dwindling supporters).

To me, this story speaks more about 'face' of the police corps. For top brass cops to even keep Thaksin officially in their ranks for so long after he's has soiled himself (and Thailand's reputation) - makes the Royal Thai Police look sillier than z wet cat on an iceburg.

Edited January 8, 2009 by brahmburgers

[FatherF]

Yeah, like Thaskin could really give a S##T. Not going to hurt his Pocket Book one bit, so who care come on people don't you have better things to do.

It's all part of the effort to keep anti-Thaksin-mania alive, it is very useful indeed.

It's about 'face'. demoting or stripping him of rank altogether will add another jab to Thaksin's face (his all important image he wants to project to his dwindling supporters).

To me, this story speaks more about 'face' of the police corps. For top brass cops to even keep Thaksin officially in their ranks for so long after he's has soiled himself (and Thailand's reputation) - makes the Royal Thai Police look sillier than z wet cat on an iceburg.

It could also backfire, if his ardent supporters take the attitude of "they are doing all they can to dis-credit khun Thaksin" it could add fuel to the pro-Thaksin movement.

FF

[Jingthing]

Is PRISONER a rank?

[Meerkat]

I think it's more about removing "face" than keeping anti-Thaksin sentiment going. The recent spate of Nation articles which have tried to claim (with nothing more than supposition) that he's now a comparative pauper being a case in point. It is crucial to the Dems and their allies that the "poor, ignorant" Isaanites fall out of love with him; anything else and the next time parliament goes to the people, the remnants of the TRT are likely to get back in. I suspect we'll see more of the same over the next months; perhaps other titles being taken away or honourary doctorates rescinded - that kind of thing. Simultaneously we'll see more puff pieces about Abhisit and the monarchy (especially in the western media) as well, in an attempt to undo some of the bad press they've received thus far (via the actions of the PAD.)

The irony about this particular incident though is that it is now up to the police chief, newly reinstated after having been mothballed by the previous government for the October 7th debacle, to determine how to proceed. He was touted by the PAD as a murderer for his role in October; no doubt his star is now rising...

[george]

Police chief to consider stripping ex-premier Thaksin of police rank

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's police chief Pol. Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan is to consider whether to strip the police rank held by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was convicted on a conflict of interest charge, a senior police officer said Thursday.

Pol. Maj-Gen. Panya Aengchuan, commander of the police department's disciplinary division, said a proposal to strip Mr. Thaksin of his police rank of lieutenant-colonel would be sent to National Police Commissioner Pol. Gen. Patcharawat for his consideration.

Noting that a court had already judged and imposed a two-year imprisonment on the ousted premier minister, Gen. Panya said Mr. Thaksin is found to be in breach of police regulations, which stipulates that a police officer's rank must be stripped if the person is convicted and escapes to avoid imprisonment.

On October 21, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions found former police officer Thaksin guilty of a conflict of interest and sentenced him in absentia to two years in jail.

Ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, he is now living in self-imposed exile in an unknown location.

-- TNA 2009-01-08

[billsykes]

So if he didn't escape he could of kept his Rank? See what you have done to your self by escaping Thaksin? Gone and lost your police rank.. Will they stop his pay? TIT

[selftaopath]

But he has shown what appears to be the epitome of police professionalism here in Thailand (oh--except for getting caught)!

GOOD ONE Scitt. Got a good chuckle outta that one.

[selftaopath]

Why does he need a rank? He is not a copper any more.

Is he receiving a "pension" from the Royal Thai Police Department?

[Jai Dee]

Police may cut Thaksin's rank

The Royal Thai Police is considering revoking former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's police rank of lieutenant colonel because he received a jail term in a final court verdict.

Police Maj General Panya Engchuan, commander of the force's Disciplinary Division, said yesterday his office had suggested to the personnel division on Monday (Jan 5) that Thaksin be deprived of his police rank.

He said the suggestion was in line with the regulations for police personnel.

Panya said that, according to the regular procedures, the personnel division was likely to refer the case to police commissioner-general Patcharawat Wongsuwan for further action.

Personnel division commander Police Maj General Chanapat Choeysombat said yesterday his office obtained the document from the disciplinary division on Wednesday. His office would spend a day or two looking at the matter before referring it to the national police chief.

In October, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Police Office Holders sentenced Thaksin to two years in jail in connection to the Ratchadaphisek land scandal. Thaksin's then-wife Pojaman successfully bid for a coveted plot of plot of land but the price she paid was lower than the market rate. The ex-premier did not appeal the verdict, but claimed it was politically motivated.

Source: The Nation - 09 January 2009

[Meerkat]

<SNIP>

In October, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Police Office Holders sentenced Thaksin to two years in jail in connection to the Ratchadaphisek land scandal. Thaksin's then-wife Pojaman successfully bid for a coveted plot of plot of land but the price she paid was lower than the market rate. The ex-premier did not appeal the verdict, but claimed it was politically motivated.

Source: The Nation - 09 January 2009

[off topic]

Oh hello.

The land was valued at 700m, and all the bids were over that amount. Had their been evidence that the land was acquired for a less than market price, the courts would have been duty bound to unwind the deal or confiscate it. They didn't. In fact the only fishy price in the whole sorry saga was the inflated 2.14 billion that the FIDF paid the Erawan Trust for it given that the Trust itself had only paid 103 million.

So either the paper's just practising inordinately amateurish journalism, or it's part of their recent spate of make-Thaksin-look-bad-and-don't-worry-if-you-twist-the-occasional-fact-for-the-good-of-the-country articles.

It's a tough call where The Nation's concerned.

[/off topic]

[astral]

Why does he need a rank? He is not a copper any more.

It is probably like the armed forces in Thailand.

No one ever retires, they still draw a salary........

[Plus]

The land was valued at 700m, and all the bids were over that amount. Had their been evidence that the land was acquired for a less than market price, the courts would have been duty bound to unwind the deal or confiscate it. They didn't.

The court concentrated on Thaksin, not his wife.

Prosecution didn't really try to nail her either, and it was difficult or impossible to prove anyway.

At that time other valuation figures were thrown around, depending on which agencies did the evaluating. Shorty after the sale town planning regulations were changed allowing to build a high rise building on that site instead of low rise residential. The land valuation would obviously differ.

Is it possible to prove that Thaksin or his wife were linked to that change in regulations without any reasonable doubt? I doubt that. Another curiousity is that the government declared Dec 31 a working day so that Thaksin could complete the sale and save on taxes that were due to rise from next year. Is it possible to prove the definite connection? No.

That's why the law doesn't require to prove incidents of corruption in such cases - simply involvement of a Prime Minister rules it illegal. No one really cares about his wife, certainly not in the time frame AEC had to bring the case to the court.

Media report facts as they see them, they are not obliged to strictly follow the court resolution as it didn't concern them or ordered them to report things in certain way. You can try to sue the Nation if you want.

[samgrowth]

Media report facts as they see them, they are not obliged to strictly follow the court resolution as it didn't concern them or ordered them to report things in certain way. You can try to sue the Nation if you want.

Sound like The Sun to me. At least their page 3 is juicy.

[Plus]

"Noppadon, who is Thaksin's lawyer, said a number of other police officers had been imprisoned without being stripped of their ranks."

Good point on the surface, the problem with Thaksin is that he refuses to accept the verdict and does not submit himself to punishment.

He should be stripped the rank for that alone, undermining country's judicial system, if jail term itself is not enough.

[sriracha john]

Police May Cut Thaksin's Rank

overdue since November 20th, 2008 (when his 30 day appeal period lapsed).... and along with the return of his royal decorations, any progress with that?

Thaksin's proudly boasted bio from www.BuildingBetterFuture.org:

"In 1973 Dr. Shinawatra joined the Royal Thai Police Department and was promoted to Police Lieutenant Colonel in 1987."

"Dr. Shinawatra holds the following royal decorations: Knight Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao (2002); Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn (2001); Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (1996); Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (1995)."

following his ultimately unappealed conviction....ALL of the above are now gone...

Thaksin willing to return royal decorations

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will likely agree to return all of his royal decorations if required to by law, Government Spokesman Natthawut Saikua said yesterday.

If Thaksin fails to appeal the Supreme Court's guilty verdict and two-year jail sentence against him in the Ratchadaphisek land case, the Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao would need to be recalled.

A PM's Office decree endorsed by then-PM Thaksin in August 2005 gives eight criteria for the recalling of royal decorations, including if a person is convicted by the highest court and ordered to serve time in prison.

If Thaksin does not seek a retrial within 30 days, the PM's Office must seek royal approval to demand the royal decorations be returned.

Thaksin has received nine royal decorations, starting with the Member (Fifth Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand in 1974. The highest was the Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao, bestowed in 2003.

Thaksin may lose his rank

Police are considering stripping former PM Thaksin Shinawatra of his rank of Lieutenant-Colonel for his conviction in the Ratchadaphisek land purchase case. Police Spokesman Police Lieutenant-General Watcharapol Prasarnratchakit said they would have to wait for 30 days before proceeding as Thaksin, convicted of violating the anti-graft law, could appeal if he can produce new evidence.

Under the National Police Act, commissioned officers can be stripped of their rank when found guilty of corruption or sentenced to jail.

Thaksin won't appeal corruption conviction

Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will not appeal his conviction and two-year jail sentence for corruption, his lawyer said as the deadline passed for any legal action.

*not sure why the delay for stripping his rank/title and no further word on Thaksin's pledge to return his royal decorations as he said he would*

Thaksin's police rank could be revoked

The police are considering removing ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra's police rank as a Police Lieutenant-Colonel, according to the assistant to the Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General Police Lieutemant-General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit. He said the Disciplinary Division under the Royal Thai Police is deciding whether the fugitive ex-PM's Thaksin police rank as a Police Lieutenant-Colonel should be revoked. On bringing Thaksin back to fight his charges in Thailand, Watcharapol said relevant officials have to gather evidences and forward them to

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=135484

[Bangyai]

Why does he need a rank? He is not a copper any more.

It is probably like the armed forces in Thailand.

No one ever retires, they still draw a salary........

Which might go some way to explain why they didn't care for Thaksins vision of a smaller, streamlined and more professional army Still, looking on the bright side they probably won't need to conscript any more troops if they ever go to war with Cambodia over disputed territory. Plenty of officers of senior rank to lead the bayonet charge over the top.

[LevelHead]

I hope they do strip him of his rank.

And THEN - this "precedent" must be done to all others, and it would mean thousands would lose their rank ? Or will it be another "double standards" and only applicable to "anyone with a red shirt or TRT/PPP/PTP" ????

Amazing how throwing eggs with a red shirt results in prison, but stopping an airport and terrorist activities in a yellow shirt results in nothing.

Sadly the new powers in charge are promoting so many "double standards" their obvious abuses will soon be easy for the most rose tinted people to see.

By the way, how can "Apirak" be an adviser to the PM..........my God, what are the Democrats up to ?

[Koo82]

And THEN - this "precedent" must be done to all others, and it would mean thousands would lose their rank ? Or will it be another "double standards" and only applicable to "anyone with a red shirt or TRT/PPP/PTP" ????

Amazing how throwing eggs with a red shirt results in prison, but stopping an airport and terrorist activities in a yellow shirt results in nothing.

Sadly the new powers in charge are promoting so many "double standards" their obvious abuses will soon be easy for the most rose tinted people to see.

By the way, how can "Apirak" be an adviser to the PM..........my God, what are the Democrats up to ?

Your questions are too hard to answer.

They'll hit anything red. Why? Either you are not allowed to comment or they need more time to investigate.

Is it right that eggs are considered "weapon" now?

Apirak is suitable for being PM's advisor because they're in the same side and Apirak knows a lot of tricks.

They're up to borrowing money. The next government will work their shIt off to pay that loan and will be criticized for finishing the loan before deadline.

Anyway, Democ Rats are well known for speaking nicely to public, for building nice pictures and for not doing what they are saying.

[Plus]

Thaksins vision of a smaller, streamlined and more professional army

Thaksin didn't have any vision for the army. The credit for restructuring and streamlining it goes to Surayud, and definitely not to Thaksin's cousin Chaisit. Installing his relatives and cronies in top positions was just about all vision Thaksin had regarding the military.

>>>

They are borrowing money to deal with the crisis they inherited from PPP government and a much worse one coming from global recession, and at least they are doing something about it, and it's still within legal limits on budget deficits.

The junta repaid over 100 billion baht debts it inherited from last year of Thaksin's administration but they didn't make so much fuss out of it. Some people would just do their jobs for the country instead of taking all the credit for themselves and bragging about every little achievement.

[LevelHead]

And THEN - this "precedent" must be done to all others, and it would mean thousands would lose their rank ? Or will it be another "double standards" and only applicable to "anyone with a red shirt or TRT/PPP/PTP" ????

Amazing how throwing eggs with a red shirt results in prison, but stopping an airport and terrorist activities in a yellow shirt results in nothing.

Sadly the new powers in charge are promoting so many "double standards" their obvious abuses will soon be easy for the most rose tinted people to see.

By the way, how can "Apirak" be an adviser to the PM..........my God, what are the Democrats up to ?

Your questions are too hard to answer.

They'll hit anything red. Why? Either you are not allowed to comment or they need more time to investigate.

Is it right that eggs are considered "weapon" now?

Apirak is suitable for being PM's advisor because they're in the same side and Apirak knows a lot of tricks.

They're up to borrowing money. The next government will work their shIt off to pay that loan and will be criticized for finishing the loan before deadline.

Anyway, Democ Rats are well known for speaking nicely to public, for building nice pictures and for not doing what they are saying.

Yes, Apirak's experience with the Fire Trucks and all that scandal is likely invaluable, he can oversea "covert operations" perhaps - make sure that things do not go wrong, given his experience in them going wrong and how he got into that predicament.

[JetsetBkk]

...It is normal for rank and honours to be recalled if police or military officers commit criminal offences, Gen. Sanan said, but rank could be restored to a particular officer if he receives an amnesty.

On Channel 9's MCOT News a few days ago, it was stated quite clearly, but maybe incorrectly, that only serving police officers can have their rank removed and since Thaksin was not a police officer at the time of his offence(s), his rank could not be removed.

[bangkokrick]

I tend to agree with the following regarding Thaksin's rank.

Army chief Anupong Paojinda, after casting his vote in the Bangkok gubernatorial election on Sunday morning, said he would like the new governor to address local problems, such as traffic, sanitation and flooding.

Referring to the police's effort to strip fugitve ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's police rank of police lieutenant colonel, Gen Anupong reminded the police to look into the regulations and consider all factors carefully after the Supreme Court ruled him guilty of the Ratchadaphisek land procurement scandal.

The army chief also called on all Thais to put their conflicts behind to help the country overcome the crises.

Bangkok post.

Cheers, Rick