PM Downplays Special Branch Raid

[Jacob Maslow]

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the national police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang downplayed the Special Branch raid that occurred on Thursday.

At 11AM that morning, 10 soldiers arrived at the Special Branch in Humvees and stormed a room where police were watching a demonstration on location-tracking devices and eavesdropping. The demonstration was being put on by the representatives of an Israeli security company. According to the prime minister, the entire situation was a big misunderstanding.

The representatives from the Israeli security company were taken to the army barracks for questioning, but were later released. Special Branch officers were shocked by the incident. Soldiers had been observing the situation all morning before the sudden raid.

Reportedly, the military was suspicious that police were attempting to buy new equipment to keep track of the soldiers’ movements. National police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang stated that the entire situation was a misunderstanding.

The prime minister had a different story as to what caused the raid. Prayut says that the security firm did not use a diplomatic channel to inform Thailand of their presence. The prime minister denied that there was any mistrust between the military and police. He also asked the press not to exaggerate the issue and create conflict between police and soldiers.

-- 2015-05-09

[JAG]

Interestingly they have the resources (Humvees) and intelligence sources to have a go at their police rivals, but the poor sods down south have to make do with pick up trucks and motorcycles!

It's all a question of priorities I suppose ...

[NongKhaiKid]

The Israelis didn't inform of their presence so once again not the fault of a Thai.

Did the security company reps just arrive with their wares like door to door salesmen or were they invited ?

The PM's excuses grow increasingly more weak and ridiculous but his arrogance increases expecting his every word be taken without challenge and once again those pests in the media had better stop causing problems.

[Tatsujin]

The Israelis didn't inform of their presence so once again not the fault of a Thai.

Did the security company reps just arrive with their wares like door to door salesmen or were they invited ?

The PM's excuses grow increasingly more weak and ridiculous but his arrogance increases expecting his every word be taken without challenge and once again those pests in the media had better stop causing problems.

Whilst I agree with your assessment of the current "PM", I really don't see any difference in his attitude to any other previous "PM" or indeed any (most) other middle/upper class Thai's. Once they reach a certain level in society, that arrogance shines through brightly in most cases, and they really don't expect "anyone" to challenge or question them.

[oneday]

"...Prayut says that the security firm did not use a diplomatic channel to inform Thailand of their presence. The prime minister denied that there was any mistrust between the military and police..."

Spin it for all you're worth.

[klauskunkel]

yup

[Srikcir]

He also asked the press not to exaggerate the issue and create conflict between police and soldiers.

The raid by itself created the conflict. Didn't Prayut want the press to report the truth?

[user786895]

_{Plain and simple turf war.}