Law And Order: Country Police Warned

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LAW AND ORDER: Country police warned

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has threatened to put provincial police under the direct command of provincial governors if they fail to tackle widespread driving offences, prevent gangland-style brawling among students and enforce closing times for entertainment places.

National police chief General Sant Sarutanond said Thaksin made the threat during a meeting of senior police officers on Friday. Sant admitted that he had not been invited to the meeting.

Sant said Thaksin had asked senior police officers to start enforcing traffic laws in order to reduce road accidents, be vigilant for hooliganism among students and enforce the closing times of entertainment places.

Sant said provincial police would be given until October 2006 to address the problems.

"If police fail to maintain order by then, they will be subject to direct supervision by provincial governors," said Sant.

At present, provincial police report to the provincial police bureau, which reports to the regional headquarters. Regional headquarters report to deputy police commissioner-generals.

Government Spokesman Chakrapop Penkae said Thaksin also instructed senior police officers to enforce traffic laws during the New Year break, minimise congestion and reduce road accidents.

Chakrapop said Thaksin had assigned Deputy Prime Minister Purachai Piumsombun to coordinate with police in drawing up plans to cope with New Year traffic.

Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang said the Interior Ministry would compile lists of the 10 provinces with the best and worst traffic-management records over the New Year, to encourage provincial authorities to do their best over the holiday period.

He added that the Cabinet yesterday approved a budget of Bt118.6 million to buy 836 blood-alcohol level testing machines and an unknown quantity of radar scanners for police to monitor motorists' speed.

--THE NATION 2003-12-24