Thailand's DSI Chief Is Proving To Be A Powerful Political Tool

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

DSI chief is proving to be a powerful political tool

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- During the time of the Democrat-led government, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdith was seen as a lackey of then-deputy premier Suthep Thaugsuban for his role in helping the government fight against the red shirts.

Now, during the time of this government, under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, this very same Tarit is doing his best to crusade against the opposition Democrat Party.

The DSI chief appears to be the sort of civil servant who will serve his boss well and every government needs someone like him for political purposes. Of course, the DSI was created as a political tool from the very beginning.

Due to his active role against the red shirts, Tarit was expected to be the prime target for purging when Yingluck's Pheu Thai Party took office last year. Yet he has survived.

It was former chief of the National Security Council, Thawil Pliensri, who ended up getting transferred to an inactive position when Yingluck took office.

As soon as she took over as premier, Tarit was clever enough to cut down the number of political cases in his hand from the 281 he had in 2010 during Abhisit Vejjajiva's time to 48 cases last year and to just four cases this year.

He chose to drop several cases against members of the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the red shirts. In fact, even Yingluck benefited as Tarit chose to drop her asset concealment case.

A total of 39 red shirts found themselves off the hook as Tarit decided to throw away the lese majeste charges filed against them by the Democrat-run Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation during the red-shirt riots. DSI dropped its investigations after Tarit decided that there were no solid grounds to charge these people.

Former Pheu Thai MP and core red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan also found himself free of the lese majeste charge for a comment he made on stage during the red-shirt protest in April 2010.

Tarit obviously knows what he needs to do when the political wind changes.

He clearly understands the nature of Thai politics as well as his connection with all political factions, including those associated with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - who can be considered the real power behind this government.

Previously, many people saw him working alongside Democrat Suthep, but he also maintained a great friendship with former PM Somchai Wongsawat since the latter's time as permanent secretary for the Justice Ministry.

In fact, Tarit was the person who helped Somchai set up the DSI under the jurisdiction of the Justice Ministry when Thaksin was in office.

It is rumoured that Tarit has managed to get into direct contact with Thaksin, and apparently it's not good news for the Democrats because he is now focusing on several cases against the Democrat Party. He has at least three cases in hand against them.

The first case is the one related to irregularities in a Skytrain contract that the Democrat-led Bangkok Metropolitan Administration extended to the Bangkok Mass Transit System Company.

The second case is related to a donation that the state-run Eastern Water made to the Democrat Party for flood relief last year. State-run enterprises are prohibited by law to donate money to political parties.

The last one concerns a conflict of interest case in connection with the former deputy interior minister Thaworn Senneam's and Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Palibatra's involvement in a decision that benefited a shopping mall in Bang Khae.

With these cases in hand, Tarit has now become a powerful weapon against the opposition. This government obviously remembers the pain Tarit caused them when they were the opposition, and maybe they can use him to cause the same level of pain to the Democrats.

-- The Nation 2012-05-24

[Roadman]

Head line should read "Yet another example of Thai political corruption"

The words democarcy and Thailand do not belong anywhere near each other. The governance of the country is a joke.

[TackyToo]

After reading the article, I expect the next headline to read like this:

"Thailands powerful political tool seen walking on water!"

[animatic]

Tarit appears to be the poster boy for survival of the most corrupt, and with the least moral compunctions. Never mind that some might actual think laws should be followed and courts can make the decisions, this political animal has decided he is the arbiter and court of appeal prior to the actual justice system. for anyone charged with anything.

Of course Thaksins things is the courts can't be controlled,

so apply power / money / intimidation at the point that can derail most charges.

Sadly for Thaksin many of his charges are well past what Tarit can subvert,

but at least he can derail his acolite/minions legal woes and keept his team on point.

[sbk]

It appears a reminder of forum rules is required, surprising since the now deleted posts have been made by members who should know better. So let me just say, don't do it again, I will suspend you.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

8) Not to post extremely negative views of Thailand or derogatory comments directed towards all Thais.

15) Not to use ThaiVisa.com to post any material which is knowingly or can be reasonably construed as false, inaccurate, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of any law. You also agree not to post negative comments criticizing the legal proceedings or judgments of any Thai court of law.

[robertson468]

Self preservation? Will to survive? Turncoat? Please choose your own description, but I know one thing, I would hate to go to war with someone like him guarding my back! So sad that this idiosyncratic behavior in the political Thai spectrum seems so predominant, diluting the value of Thai Politics on the World Stage. But do they care - I doubt many have the vision to realise the damage they do to their Country through distrust and loss of investment.

[jeffcool]

It appears a reminder of forum rules is required, surprising since the now deleted posts have been made by members who should know better. So let me just say, don't do it again, I will suspend you.

http://www.thaivisa....tion=boardrules

8) Not to post extremely negative views of Thailand or derogatory comments directed towards all Thais.

15) Not to use ThaiVisa.com to post any material which is knowingly or can be reasonably construed as false, inaccurate, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of any law. You also agree not to post negative comments criticizing the legal proceedings or judgments of any Thai court of law.

Could we send a copy of those rules to the government??? and all Political party???

[drdoom6996]

And who is surprised???????????????

[JohnAllan]

I suppose Tarit will have to hope that the Democrats don't return to power during his remaining tenure. I doubt they will wear his changing his political hat again. Though his releasing redshirts held on Lese Majeste charges, through insufficient evidence, reflects the high likelihood that very few of such charges hold any genuine merit.

And talking of Yingluck finding inactive posts for the Pheu Thai's various opponents and nemeses, I wonder when - if ever - she will stop seeing the PM's post as inactive.

[tomross46]

If his statements were not lese majeste, why will the DSI not allow the press to print what he said?

[JohnAllan]

It appears a reminder of forum rules is required, surprising since the now deleted posts have been made by members who should know better. So let me just say, don't do it again, I will suspend you.

http://www.thaivisa....tion=boardrules

8) Not to post extremely negative views of Thailand or derogatory comments directed towards all Thais.

15) Not to use ThaiVisa.com to post any material which is knowingly or can be reasonably construed as false, inaccurate, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of any law. You also agree not to post negative comments criticizing the legal proceedings or judgments of any Thai court of law.

First of all, having seen, over time, a number of - for want of a better description - anti-western comments on TV, your 'rule' 8) is a nonsense. Either extend it to cover ALL nationalities and countries, or scrap it! As it is, it smacks of jingoism, and of racism.

Secondly, there is more than a hint of PC evident in your slap on the wrist reprimand.

[JohnAllan]

If his statements were not lese majeste, why will the DSI not allow the press to print what he said?

And demonstrate the true facts about any and all dubious cases? What would you do?

[EyesWideOpen]

From SBK on forum rules:

15) Not to use ThaiVisa.com to post any material which is knowingly or can be reasonably construed as false, inaccurate, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of any law. You also agree not to post negative comments criticizing the legal proceedings or judgments of any Thai court of law.

This an odd rule, as a court system whose decisions seem to be driven by the wealth and power of those before it, is bound to produce questionable outcomes that could certainly use a bit of public airing. Do not really see the value of chopping debate on it unless you fear it.

[Nickymaster]

A Special Investigation chief changes colors when geovernment changes.... Amazing Thailand!!

[mca]

It appears a reminder of forum rules is required, surprising since the now deleted posts have been made by members who should know better. So let me just say, don't do it again, I will suspend you.

http://www.thaivisa....tion=boardrules

8) Not to post extremely negative views of Thailand or derogatory comments directed towards all Thais.

15) Not to use ThaiVisa.com to post any material which is knowingly or can be reasonably construed as false, inaccurate, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of any law. You also agree not to post negative comments criticizing the legal proceedings or judgments of any Thai court of law.

Could we send a copy of those rules to the government??? and all Political party???

I don't think they're members of TVF mate.

Although I'm not sure too about suthep_dodgyoldbugger or jatuporngobshite1984

[anterian]

" not to post negative comments criticizing the legal proceedings or judgments of any Thai court of law."

I remember reading once that it is illegal in Thailand to criticise a court judgement. Perhaps because the courts are Royally appointed?

In Thailand there are so many lines which are easy to cross, so I guess TV likes to play it safe.

[khaowong1]

Yeah, he's a tool alright.

[cdnski12]

Who got da most biggest guns?

[Bagwan]

A Special Investigation chief changes colors when geovernment changes.... Amazing Thailand!!

A latterday Vicar of Bray?

[OzMick]

"We are a fact-gathering organization only. We don’t clear anybody. We don’t condemn anybody." J.E.Hoover / FBI

"We are a crime absolving organisation. We don't investigate our current friends. Where cases were opened before our new friends become current, we recommend they not proceed, by any obfuscation up to and including changing the definition of the crime." Tarit / DSI

[otherstuff1957]

I'm not normally a fan of Thai journalists, but they've described Tarit perfectly: He's a tool all right!