DSI chief Tarit getting too loud over whistle-blowers: Thai editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Tarit getting too loud over whistle-blowers
The Nation

The DSI chief did nothing when red shirts smashed former prime minister Abhisit's car and splashed blood around his home; his threats now reveal a lawman swayed by political bias

BANGKOK: -- While there is widespread acceptance that statements made at anti-government rallies can be offensive and aggressive "with no holds barred", there has also been no shortage of pungent provocation from the other side of the political divide. The latest government official guilty of stoking anger against the protesters on Rajdamnoen Avenue is Tarit Pengdit, chief of the Department of Special Investigation, who really should know better.

Though he hasn't gone as far as some red-shirt TV commentators, who have labelled Democrat chiefs Abhisit Vejjajiva and Suthep Thaugsuban "animals", Tarit's words could be even more effective in provoking anti-government protesters or those thinking about joining them. Apparently upset by the increasing use of whistles by protesters - and the fact that he himself is a target - Tarit has warned that inconsiderate or overly persistent whistle-blowers could find themselves in jail.

To back the threat, Tarit quoted laws against disturbing public peace and public humiliation. The former offence carries a Bt100 fine, while the latter can land an offender in prison for a month, along with a fine of Bt1,000. The laws are reasonable, but talking about them in reference to the anti-government whistling might not be.

Blowing whistles has become a symbol of defiance against the Yingluck administration. It's a clever new idea by protest organisers, replacing the noise of plastic hands and feet "clappers" that had dominated rallies for the past few years but had worn out their welcome. Whistles have made their political debut with a bang, helped by being less friendly to the ear than the clappers.

Tarit is, no doubt, feeling frustrated. He might be under a lot of pressure. He is not in an easy position. But, as head of the DSI, he is supposed to show integrity, because his position serves as a barometer for whether the political storm is ending or worsening. In this regard he has failed miserably.

Tarit might get away with accusing Suthep of leading street protests to protect himself against serious criminal charges. But to lambaste whistle-blowing is a step too far and exposes him as a hypocrite. In a country where hypocrisy and political crisis feed on each other, the last thing we need is a top law-enforcer zeroing in on relatively peaceful acts while ignoring incidents of wrongdoing that are worse and more blatant. Tarit seems to have forgotten many things. First and foremost, Prime Minister Yingluck's car has never been besieged and smashed with bricks, and nobody has poured blood in front of her house.

In truth, what political demonstration does not disturb the peace? Tarit was in the same position when Abhisit and Suthep were in power, during which time there were plenty of "public disturbances" or "incidents meant to humiliate others", against which he could have acted.

But he chose to do nothing. Like many security and law-enforcement officials, Tarit has had no qualms about showing where his political loyalty lies. He might suppose it's all right to display his allegiance, having seen a few key examples. But the truth is that it is not all right. If "double standards" are one key source of Thailand's political strife, Tarit and his like have two choices: They can help solve the problem - or become a big part of it.


-- The Nation 2013-11-23

[jdinasia]

Tarit is facing some real issues over threatening criminal actions against simple civil disobedience. He has embarrassed himself and his office.

[rametindallas]

Mr. Tarit may find himself in legal difficulties if he oversteps his authority. The laws he is talking about do not fall under his jurisdiction. I hope he hangs himself on his on petard.

[Tatsujin]

The DSI chief did nothing when red shirts smashed former prime minister Abhisit's car and splashed blood around his home; his threats now reveal a lawman swayed by political bias.

You're only just noticing this "The Nation"? Great. The usual perceptive reporting.

[selftaopath]

LOL ... "But, as head of the DSI, he is supposed to show integrity," lol and police are "supposed" to lock up criminals/not be them, and politicians are "supposed to" put the country before personal gain...... AND

"laws against disturbing public peace" I will this was enforced in our village.... GEEZE I think everyone has a bullhorn with mega amps feeding them.

Oh Well... such fun and games is part of "poor little Thailand" eh? Pity the average struggling Thai family.

[NongKhaiKid]

Mr. Tarit may find himself in legal difficulties if he oversteps his authority. The laws he is talking about do not fall under his jurisdiction. I hope he hangs himself on his on petard.

' hoist ' ?

[NongKhaiKid]

Come on K. Tarit, hold a press conference and warn you are going to arrest all whistle blowres

That should be enough time to take all money out of bank accounts and leg it.

Cue press conferennce No.2 to announce you are looking for them, " they seek him here, they seek him there, is he is heaven or is he in hell that damned elusive e-monk ? '

[Crushdepth]

It's pretty obvious that DSI have been bought out. Not even a pretence at neutrality.

[MaxLee]

Tarit also did nothing in the process of dealing with the super rich monk

[Thainy Tim]

People who are in a public office appointment that is not a political office must be neutral of all political bias. Tarit should be removed and that goes for any other element of similar ilk.

Thailand can not afford to have non political public figures with political bias. Especially the DSI which now only functions against the opposition. Which makes it worthless.

Anyone in these positions publicly displaying bias should be stripped of their appointment and given a jail term as a warning to others.

Edited November 23, 2013 by Thainy Tim

[Ricardo]

Time for a DSI shoot-to-kill policy, for those treasonous/rebellious whistle-blowers ?

No !

[rametindallas]

Mr. Tarit may find himself in legal difficulties if he oversteps his authority. The laws he is talking about do not fall under his jurisdiction. I hope he hangs himself on his on petard.

' hoist ' ?

LOL I know the quote but I would rather he be hoisted by the neck, therefore, hanged.

[marcusd]

People who are in a public office appointment that is not a political office must be neutral of all political bias. Tarit should be removed and that goes for any other element of similar ilk.

Thailand can not afford to have non political public figures with political bias. Especially the DSI which now only functions against the opposition. Which makes it worthless.

Anyone in these positions publicly displaying bias should be stripped of their appointment and given a jail term as a warning to others.

Whilst I agree TOTALLY, that would mean 95% of all officals in thailand get removed and no one would be in control.

Hmmm thinking about this if the NORMAL AVERAGE people did the jobs with no bosses things may actually work.. and get done

[smedly]

2013 - I shot him because I felt my life was in danger - he came at me with a whistle

2010 - I shot him because I felt my life was in danger - he came at me with an Ak47

[Pi Sek]

Remember, this is the guy that was so anti-Red Shirt during Abhisit's tenure as PM that he got some pretty harsh threats from Jatuporn at the time (I think Jatuporn said Tharit would have to go into exile if PT got into power).

This thread makes interesting reading in retrospect... nobody believed him then either!

Personally I think that, if anyone in government circles (and especially "national security" circles), here or abroad, feels the need to come out and give interviews to deny criticism over perceived bias rather than just dismissing it, it usually means the criticism is warranted.

At best, Tharit is overstepping the mark because he's scared of losing his job. At worst, he's a self-obsessed bully who has no respect for the Law and order he is supposed to uphold. In both cases, he's the perfect man for the job of head of the DSI... one of whose roles is to police people who haven't broken Laws.

[Lupatria]

In which country do they need a Department of “Special Investigation” over a subject like people blowing whistles? Hope a simple question is not misunderstood as Thai bashing again…

[Pi Sek]

People who are in a public office appointment that is not a political office must be neutral of all political bias.

<snip>

What, like the House speaker?

[Pi Sek]

In which country do they need a Department of “Special Investigation” over a subject like people blowing whistles? Hope a simple question is not misunderstood as Thai bashing again…

Such a role is important in any undemocratic country which upholds a democracy.

[bigbamboo]

I see The nation is on the ball again.

Is there anyone who doesn't see Tart as a brown nosing lackey?

[waza]

Tarit, Chalerm, the AG Yaisawang, Justaporn et al are all falling over each other to be Thakin's top attack dog.

Edited November 23, 2013 by waza

[bigbamboo]

Tarit, Chalerm, the AG Yaisawang, Justaporn et al are all falling over each other to be Thakin's top attack dog.

They'll all be simpering in the corner once Waoyappa is unleashed!

[waza]

Tarit, Chalerm, the AG Yaisawang, Justaporn et al are all falling over each other to be Thakin's top attack dog.

They'll all be simpering in the corner once Waoyappa is unleashed!

lol, even Sunisa and the TVF red cheer squad are getting more and more vocal as the Thaksin proxy government gets increasingly more desperate to maintain their control of Thailand.

Edited November 23, 2013 by waza

[silent]

In which country do they need a Department of “Special Investigation” over a subject like people blowing whistles? Hope a simple question is not misunderstood as Thai bashing again…

.............(Thailand)?

[Moruya]

It's hard to believe that this massively biased servant of the corrupt is actually part of PTP's A team