Police To Ensure Peaceful Thai Election

[webfact]

Aswin tasked with making elections peaceful

By PIYANART SRIVALO

THE NATION

Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang, a noted crime-buster, yesterday vowed to ensure a peaceful election after Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban assigned him to keep tabs on assassins-for-hire.

"Suthep wants me to monitor hitmen and figures with dark influence during the lead-up to the balloting," he said. Aswin, an assistant National Police chief and acting commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1, said his priority was to prevent the eruption of violence during campaigning in the Central, Eastern and Western regions.

The government was concerned that fierce races in certain constituencies might spiral out of control, he said, adding that his monitoring activities were a precautionary step. Candidates were not expected to resort to eliminating their opposition but he was obliged to ensure a safe election, he said.

Following the unveiling of candidates from every party, he would review his assessment to pinpoint those constituencies at risk of violence. Initially, no more than 50 were considered as potential hotspots, he said. About 60-70 investigators would be mobilised to monitor the gunmen, and police were prepared to dispatch officers to protect candidates if requested, he said.

The areas likely to be placed under close watch were Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Chai Nat, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Chon Buri and Trat.

At this stage there was no indication of suspicious activities among known gunmen, he added.

-- The Nation 2011-03-30

[bangon04]

""Suthep wants me to monitor hitmen and figures with dark influence during the lead-up to the balloting," he said"

Monitoring hitmen is apparently quite easy in Thailand. Arresting them apparently isn't. Amusing Thailand.

I wonder what is the salary range for the post of known "hitman"?

Edited March 30, 2011 by bangon04

[CosmicSurfer]

""Suthep wants me to monitor hitmen and figures with dark influence during the lead-up to the balloting," he said"

Monitoring hitmen is apparently quite easy in Thailand. Arresting them apparently isn't. Amusing Thailand.

I wonder what is the salary range for the post of known "hitman"?

They are "Known" as most carry a badge or wear a Uniform of one sort or another!

... Also, makes access to weapons and parking easy!

CS

[asiawatcher]

""Suthep wants me to monitor hitmen and figures with dark influence during the lead-up to the balloting," he said"

Monitoring hitmen is apparently quite easy in Thailand. Arresting them apparently isn't. Amusing Thailand.

I wonder what is the salary range for the post of known "hitman"?

They are "Known" as most carry a badge or wear a Uniform of one sort or another!

... Also, makes access to weapons and parking easy!

CS

Excellent response - going rate from Klongtoei Mafia ride-by boys is about 10,000 Baht but use 'uniforms' and can be 50,000 or higher depending the target! LOL - not too hard to check, ask any bar girl. Read Stephen Leather's book - Private Dancer (soon to be a movie)

[Pib]

Hope the police do a better job of keeping the peace than they did during the Redshirt protests/riots last year.

[Buchholz]

assigned him to keep tabs on assassins-for-hire.

Dear General Aswin,

Please publish (with photographs) your list of assassins for hire.

If you know who they are, then tell the public and let them help you monitor them.

Community policing is much more effective than just the police alone.

Even for those not involved with monitoring, it would benefit all from just being made aware of who they are.

Thank you.

.

Edited March 30, 2011 by Buchholz

[drdoom6996]

""Suthep wants me to monitor hitmen and figures with dark influence during the lead-up to the balloting," he said"

Monitoring hitmen is apparently quite easy in Thailand. Arresting them apparently isn't. Amusing Thailand.

I wonder what is the salary range for the post of known "hitman"?

Is this the same guy who said that he did not want or need westerners to monitor the election because it would go smoothly with Thai observers. Now he admits to "hitmen" at the polling stations. I'll bet the police are lining up for that job. Tea money for the next year in one day.

[EyesWideOpen]

God I love Thailand !!!! Monitoring hit men during an election?? You simply could not make this stuff up...... I have been reliably told that nearly all the hits are performed by off duty policemen, so it should be pretty easy to monitor themselves.......

[webfact]

Police Ordered to Keep Peace and Order During Poll

The deputy prime minister in charge of national security has discussed measures to keep peace and order during the upcoming election with an adviser to the national police chief while denying that the premier plans to dissolve the House on April 27.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban denied that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has consulted a fortuner teller and found April 27 as an auspicious day to dissolve the House as claimed by the Pheu Thai Party.

Asked about number 25 which is seen as a good-luck number for the Democrat Party, Suthep said the number represents the party's strategic move which Democrat election director Kobsak Sabhavasu aims to convey to the public.

Further asked about yesterday's talks with the national police chief's adviser on investigation affairs, Police General Assawin Kwanmuang, the deputy PM said the meeting discussed measures to maintain peace and order during the upcoming election.

Suthep also revealed there are 50 risky areas where prone to possible crime during the poll.

However, he reaffirmed that the government and related agencies will not allow hitmen and thugs to disrupt the poll.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-30