Top police rank committee recommends stripping Thaksin Shinawatra off police rank

[webfact]

Top police rank committee recommends stripping Thaksin Shinawatra off police rank



BANGKOK: -- The committee in charge of police ranks has agreed unanimously to strip ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra off his police lieutenant colonel rank, Pol Gen Chaiya Siri-ampolkul, advisor to the Royal Thai Police commissioner, said today.

The committee will recommend the decision to the Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang late today to forward to the Cabinet Secretariat to seek royal endorsement and to announce in the Royal Gazettes, he said.

He said the committee in charge of police rank supervision has reached unanimous decision after it received detailed documents which has been carefully scrutinised by the Council of State.

He said the committee which comprises representatives from several relevant agencies agreed upon the same direction to strip Thaksin of the police rank after many people lodged complaints against Thaksin with the Office of the Ombudsman.

The Office of the Ombudsman later passed on the complaints to the royal Thai Police to scrutinise, he said.

He explained that the decision to strip his rank was based on new cases which contain substantial evidences in full details and which the Council of State has carefully scrutinised and returned them back to the Royal Thai Police to pursue action.

Old cases which the former premier has been accused of and indicted, as well as facing seven arrest warrants issued by the Supreme Court were not used in the committee’s decision, he said.

Thaksin’s recent press interview to a South Korean sparked off widespread outcry when he implicated the country’s highest institution.

His remarks were deemed national security threat, damaging the country’s dignity and reputation.

Army chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr has assigned lawyer to take defamation charge against him in the Criminal Court yesterday.

The Office of the Attorney General is also considering filing lese majeste charge upon Thaksin.

Earlier yesterday Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot guaranteed that no personal feelings were involved when deciding whether to strip Thaksin of his rank.

According to The Nation, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha also said yesterday it was initially decided not to take the drastic action of stripping Thaksin’s rank because it was thought doing so would back up Thaksin’s assertion that the military government was trying to intimidate him. The government had hoped he would curtail his actions but he did not, Prayut said.

He added that the Thaksin problem had reached a level where the prime minister would not stop officials if they decided to remove the rank.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/top-police-rank-committee-recommends-stripping-thaksin-shinawatra-off-police-rank


-- Thai PBS 2015-05-29

[JOC]

What a surprise!!

And what a waste of time and money on a non-issue!!

[davehowden]

Jeez, I would love to know what Thaksin said that has got this lot running around like headless chickens!!

[Local Drunk]

What a surprise!!

And what a waste of time and money on a non-issue!!

I'm curious JOC... Why does it bother you so much? It's not a non issue, and it's not something that TS will take lightly. You need to brush up on your Thainess.

[Cuchulainn]

It doesn't really matter to this scumbag anyway. He's a low, vile hateful, conniving, corrupt piece of sh1t which hanging is too good for.

[thesetat2013]

What a surprise!!

And what a waste of time and money on a non-issue!!

You may be right! But perhaps not! It is a well known fact that any policeman wanting a high ranking position needed to go see Thaksin to get his approval prior to their promotion. Removing his rank in the police force is just one more notch they have taken from Thaksin that gave him a hold in Thailand. Time will tell!

[Tim1980]

I think he no longer need to have that rank after all he attained most highest rank by seating on Thai PM's chair for twice... May be?

[BigBadGeordie]

Shocked totally shocked. Never thought they would do that.

Medication time.

[worgeordie]

7 arrest warrants ,were not used in the committees decision or been a fugitive I would suspect.

regards worgeordie

[Billmont]

That cannot be done. As with any high ranking officer who inadvertently makes a simple error of judgement he is moved to an inactive post as in TS case he was sent to Dubai. Dangerous to start a precedent. 5555

[Gumballl]

I wonder how many convicted police officers are actually in jail (for whatever offense), and yet still retain their rank.

Let me guess: none, and that is because it is impossible for a police officer to break the law, much less be charged with a crime.

[konying]

Can someone who may actually know and understand explain what are the benefits of having a police rank? And losses if one looses it ?

Is there any meaning to it other than just a title?

[geriatrickid]

What a surprise!!

And what a waste of time and money on a non-issue!!

You may be right! But perhaps not! It is a well known fact that any policeman wanting a high ranking position needed to go see Thaksin to get his approval prior to their promotion. Removing his rank in the police force is just one more notch they have taken from Thaksin that gave him a hold in Thailand. Time will tell!

That is an outright fabrication.

Removing his rank in the police force is just one more notch they have taken from Thaksin that gave him a hold in Thailand.

Your comment is idiotic because it disregards the fact that Thaksin was subject to a military coup d'état that had him leave the country. That government, was replaced by Abhisit's admin. Are you claiming that Thaksin had influence over appointments under those governments? Who did he appoint during that period? Even during the Yingluck admin there was little movement of senior police officers. Do you know why? Because they are protected under the civil service rules. Those rules apply to every civilian government. The only administration that can circumvent the rules is a military administration because of Rule 44.

Tell me how Thaksin has held any sway over police appointments in the past year. Can you even provide one example?

You are probably sitting there all offended that some called you out on your tale spinning. well, next time before you make a wild allegation, think. In this case, a military administration or puppet government has been in place for much of the time Thaksin has been out of office. Common sense would say, the military wasn't going to take advice on appointments from Thaksin.

[geriatrickid]

Can someone who may actually know and understand explain what are the benefits of having a police rank? And losses if one looses it ?

Is there any meaning to it other than just a title?

Status. Hierarchy. Pensions.

[EyesWideOpen]

What a surprise!!

And what a waste of time and money on a non-issue!!

You may be right! But perhaps not! It is a well known fact that any policeman wanting a high ranking position needed to go see Thaksin to get his approval prior to their promotion. Removing his rank in the police force is just one more notch they have taken from Thaksin that gave him a hold in Thailand. Time will tell!

Well that does raise an interesting question. If Thaksin was in charge of lining up the

little police piggies at the feeding trough and keeping them in order, who is doing it now ??

[exbikey]

It doesn't really matter to this scumbag anyway. He's a low, vile hateful, conniving, corrupt piece of sh1t which hanging is too good for.

Other than that he could be a nice guy.

[Baerboxer]

What a surprise!!

And what a waste of time and money on a non-issue!!

You may be right! But perhaps not! It is a well known fact that any policeman wanting a high ranking position needed to go see Thaksin to get his approval prior to their promotion. Removing his rank in the police force is just one more notch they have taken from Thaksin that gave him a hold in Thailand. Time will tell!

That is an outright fabrication.

Removing his rank in the police force is just one more notch they have taken from Thaksin that gave him a hold in Thailand.

Your comment is idiotic because it disregards the fact that Thaksin was subject to a military coup d'état that had him leave the country. That government, was replaced by Abhisit's admin. Are you claiming that Thaksin had influence over appointments under those governments? Who did he appoint during that period? Even during the Yingluck admin there was little movement of senior police officers. Do you know why? Because they are protected under the civil service rules. Those rules apply to every civilian government. The only administration that can circumvent the rules is a military administration because of Rule 44.

Tell me how Thaksin has held any sway over police appointments in the past year. Can you even provide one example?

You are probably sitting there all offended that some called you out on your tale spinning. well, next time before you make a wild allegation, think. In this case, a military administration or puppet government has been in place for much of the time Thaksin has been out of office. Common sense would say, the military wasn't going to take advice on appointments from Thaksin.

How strange - the history records show he was convicted of abusing power by a court, while one of his puppet parties were in power. He went to the Olympics and despite his promise to, never came back, jumped bail and became a fugitive,

How does that equate to a military coup had him leave? You'll be telling the old one that he was removed as PM by a coup next.

[Artisi]

Can someone who may actually know and understand explain what are the benefits of having a police rank? And losses if one looses it ?

Is there any meaning to it other than just a title?

Status. Hierarchy. Pensions.

More importantly "face" as in,less face

[trogers]

Ahhh...they finally found my answer to their question on how to improve the image of the police force:

When the face is too ugly, cut off the head!

[English 1]

Why was this not done at the time of his conviction?

How can you have an honorary Police rank and be a Criminal as well.......Only in Thailand!

Anyway why are politicians given such ridiculous Police ranks.......Only in Thailand!

[arrowsdawdle]

What a surprise!!

And what a waste of time and money on a non-issue!!

Yep, unless you are Thai, in which case this is an extreme measure because what they view as a loss of face is far more severe than anything of substance.

[mike324]

What a surprise!!

And what a waste of time and money on a non-issue!!

You may be right! But perhaps not! It is a well known fact that any policeman wanting a high ranking position needed to go see Thaksin to get his approval prior to their promotion. Removing his rank in the police force is just one more notch they have taken from Thaksin that gave him a hold in Thailand. Time will tell!

That is an outright fabrication.

Removing his rank in the police force is just one more notch they have taken from Thaksin that gave him a hold in Thailand.

Your comment is idiotic because it disregards the fact that Thaksin was subject to a military coup d'état that had him leave the country. That government, was replaced by Abhisit's admin. Are you claiming that Thaksin had influence over appointments under those governments? Who did he appoint during that period? Even during the Yingluck admin there was little movement of senior police officers. Do you know why? Because they are protected under the civil service rules. Those rules apply to every civilian government. The only administration that can circumvent the rules is a military administration because of Rule 44.

Tell me how Thaksin has held any sway over police appointments in the past year. Can you even provide one example?

You are probably sitting there all offended that some called you out on your tale spinning. well, next time before you make a wild allegation, think. In this case, a military administration or puppet government has been in place for much of the time Thaksin has been out of office. Common sense would say, the military wasn't going to take advice on appointments from Thaksin.

It was true that Thaksin fled due to the coup and did not want to be arrested.

It is also true that Dems replaced the top police with one of their own, vice versa for any party that is governing the country. But that does not change the fact that Thaksin still has influence for other lower ranks. Even though Dems replaced the top police, the lower ranks still hold great influence and are all tied up with politics and different regions they govern.

During Yinglucks term, they replaced the top police with one of their own and reshuffle the entire lineup too. So it goes both ways, some well connected top police can hold their position no matter which party is governing the country.

Removing Thaksins rank probably won't make a difference regarding to his influence as his 20-30 year police connection speaks more than a status pin or world on a piece of paper. He just won't receive pension and other benefits, which he does not need in the first place.

[55Jay]

At least they didn't recommend shooting him with an anti-aircraft gun. Yet.

Edited May 30, 2015 by 55Jay

[4u2mad]

Stripped of rank, hope stripped of pension, no passport,.Oh the shame!

Stuck in Muslim Dubai. Wait a minute, didn't he start the crack down on the Muslims in the south? wasn't it on this watch all those people were crushed in the police wagons? About time his hosts woke up to the kind of person this man is.

Or doesn't it matter, all pigs at the same money trough/temple?

[chainarong]

A rather stupid move and could be counter productive over a period of time, always remember people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones , it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things Khun Thaksin in public life never used to refer to he's police rank, not like some Generals I know of do, unless the Junta is intending to stay a decade or 2 I wouldn't bother with this petty action. ( I have no interest in the PTP or Khun Thaksin).

[WitawatWatawit]

Titles and uniforms, along with face, are massive issues in Thailand. Removing his title is therefore a big kick up the bum to him. But I doubt it will affect the lower ranks of the police force as it seems his influence there is all but excised. This is just tidying up loose ends in that respect.

@English 1 - fyi, he was not a politician given a police rank. He was a genuine - oh dear, I've just made myself laugh - copper before he became a businessman and then a politician. By law, he is entitled to keep and use his police (or military) title after retiring/quitting.

[MockingJay]

Better late than never...

[joebrown]

What a surprise!!

And what a waste of time and money on a non-issue!!

You may be right! But perhaps not! It is a well known fact that any policeman wanting a high ranking position needed to go see Thaksin to get his approval prior to their promotion. Removing his rank in the police force is just one more notch they have taken from Thaksin that gave him a hold in Thailand. Time will tell!

Well that does raise an interesting question. If Thaksin was in charge of lining up the

little police piggies at the feeding trough and keeping them in order, who is doing it now ??

Didn't you notice that the amazingly rich Generalissimo, hand picked and appointed a new amazingly rich RTP Chief to sanitize the Koh Tao murder inquiry last year. Rest assured it's business as usual at the feeding trough.

[billd766]

That cannot be done. As with any high ranking officer who inadvertently makes a simple error of judgement he is moved to an inactive post as in TS case he was sent to Dubai. Dangerous to start a precedent. 5555

He was not "sent" to Dubai.

He was found guilty, jumped bail and FLED to Dubai.

He has not been an active policeman for many years and AFAIK a convicted criminal cannot be a policeman (even retired).

[BlackJack]

convicted crim on the run

still a police officer

Amazing