'Brave decision needed' on stripping Thaksin's rank

[webfact]

'Brave decision needed' on stripping Thaksin's rank
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE MOVE to strip former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of his police title should be made "courageously" this month, Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said yesterday.

However, Pol General Somyot Poompanmuang, the National Police chief, denied delaying the decision, saying he referred the matter last month to the Council of State - the government's legal advisory arm - as there were some issues needing review.

"The Royal Thai Police is not dragging its feet. I am dealing with this issue carefully and in accordance with the legal process. This matter is now in the hands of the Council of State, and I can't press them. I hope with the justice minister's involvement, this case will make faster progress," he said.

The police chief said he explained the situation to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Premier Prawit Wongsuwan when he met them earlier in the day.

Prayut assigned the Justice Ministry to take over after the police made no headway. Police rules call for an officer convicted of a crime to have his rank revoked. In 2008, Thaksin was sentenced to two years in jail for abuse of authority while he was premier.

Paiboon conferred with his ministry's legal experts for an hour to determine the points to be raised during today's meeting with representatives from the Council of State and police.

Police have been on this case for a long time already, he said.

"They should have a clear answer for society now. They must be brave to talk."

After he was told by reporters that Somyot had told the prime minister that retracting an officer's title could be done only when he was still serving in the force, he said that if that was the case, the police need to tell that to the public openly.

"This case of rank revocation is not just about a specific individual. So, when we have a clear answer, we must have the courage to tell the public. We must have no fear of people who want to see the rank revoked or people who don't want it.

"If we have that fear, we won't be able to enforce the law," he said.

Laws and regulations must be followed, he said, adding that he expects to get a firm answer from today's meeting.

"I said clearly that I don't want to wait any longer. After we come up with a resolution, we will immediately pass it to the prime minister. Initially we intended to complete it in August. I see no need to prolong this any further," he said.

Prayut said the authorities were working carefully on this, but denied that he wanted to help anyone in particular.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Brave-decision-needed-on-stripping-Thaksins-rank-30266329.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-11

[BSJ]

555 What a joke!

[NongKhaiKid]

Brave, courageous decisions ?

It can be a nightmare just getting any kind of decision here because everyone has the eye on the future, their own future and therefore considers the implications of making, not making, a decision.

The faffing about over this ' nothing ' situation just shows this country up for what it is or, more appropriately, what it isn't.

[Jessi]

He is a convicted criminal, need to say more.

[apetley]

Now I know why all the military and police have so many ribbons and medals if that's what they define as courage.

[selftaopath]

Brave, courageous decisions ?

It can be a nightmare just getting any kind of decision here because everyone has the eye on the future, their own future and therefore considers the implications of making, not making, a decision.

The faffing about over this ' nothing ' situation just shows this country up for what it is or, more appropriately, what it isn't.

The level of incompetence/ignorance/confusion/corruption at all levels of this society/country are staggering. The spiral downward will surely continue.

Look at Singapore after 50 years of concentrated efforts to educate their people. How does Lack of Sanctions compare? Here they teach how to wai, dance in parades, and cheat.

Pitiful.

[aussieinthailand]

Apply the law, not so difficult, if there is provision to apply after leaving that office then apply the law, if not then there is no case.

Why is there a seemingly political will to this issue? rather than concentrate on much bigger and important issues for the country?

Edited August 11, 2015 by aussieinthailand

[15Peter20]

"Prayut said the authorities were working carefully on this, but denied that he wanted to help anyone in particular."

Haha - yeah, no one in particular. Just the winning team as a whole...

[jonclark]

Apply the law, not so difficult, if there is provision to apply after leaving that office then apply the law, if not then there is no case.

Why is there a seemingly political will to this issue? rather than concentrate on much bigger and important issues for the country?

Exactly, the country is going down hill faster than the Aussies at Trent Bridge and this is the hot topic. Surely there are more important things to be done.

[robblok]

Prayut assigned the Justice Ministry to take over after the police made no headway. Police rules call for an officer convicted of a crime to have his rank revoked. In 2008, Thaksin was sentenced to two years in jail for abuse of authority while he was premier.

Seems clear to me, why should people who are not in the force protected from this. Just feet dragging worrying about what will happen if PTP gets into power. This is something that should have been done long ago but with the PTP in power there was never a chance. The punishment for anyone to touch Thaksin then would have been immense. Just do it now, he will loose a lot face that way and with an ego like his that must hurt a lot.

The guy is just using the he was not in service as an excuse.. worried about his future. We all know how vindictive Thaksin was so I cant blame him 100%.

Edited August 11, 2015 by robblok

[ramrod711]

'Brave decision needed' on stripping Thaksin's rank

The headline speaks volumes about the influence that Thaksin still has, a runaway fugitive from justice who still has multiple charges pending, laughable. It also makes one wonder if there is any way forward for Thailand, and that is sad.

[bamnutsak]

The headline speaks volumes about the influence that Thaksin still has

If the "powers that be" wanted Thaksin stripped of Royally-bestowed honors it would have been done already.

[halloween]

The headline speaks volumes about the influence that Thaksin still has

If the "powers that be" wanted Thaksin stripped of Royally-bestowed honors it would have been done already.

Yes, and it is well known how vindictive he can be. The powers that be want his rank stripped according to law, but they are reluctant to be the one holding the stick when the bear gets poked.

[Peabody]

Strip it now, return later when the leaders change again.

Isn't that what they did with what's-his-names son, who was put in charge of the police shooting range?

[bamnutsak]

Yes, and it is well known how vindictive he can be.

Meh, "they" are not afraid of him. One merely needs to see where each currently are to understand the situation.

[lujanit]

Thaksin is a convicted criminal on the run.

There should be an interpol arrest warrant out for him. He should be returned to Thailand in shackles and made to face all the other charges against him. Stripping him of his cop rank should be easy, just do it as the Nike ad says.

But money talks and he has made too many 'influential' red shirts rich. The gravy train must keep running.

[Seastallion]

To the Powers That Be,

Dear Sirs,

Please consider the full implications for Thailand when the situation is that it takes "courage" to enforce the law against a corrupt, shit-stirring fugitive criminal. Most developed countries have no problem applying the law. Someone commits a crime, they face the full consequences.

To skirt around applying the law, to procrastinate, to prevaricate, is a symptom of a deep underlying problem.

Take Thailand forward. Apply the law to all law-breakers, without hesitation and with no compromise. If you don't, Thailand will continue to stagnate, and within your lifetime you will be seeing Thai being the menials of the more successful neighbours, Lao, Cambodia, and Burma.

[soalbundy]

Perhaps i am stupid, why does he even have a rank if he is no longer working in the police force ?

[bamnutsak]

Thaksin is a convicted criminal on the run.

quote from a news story at the time:

The ruling on Tuesday was made by a special nine-member bench of the Supreme Court known as the Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. The judges ruled 5 to 4 that Mr. Thaksin abused his power when his wife, Pojaman, purchased a plot of desirable land from a government agency controlled by the central bank.

The judges ruled that because Mr. Thaksin was prime minister he was “supposed to work for the benefit of the public.”

Prosecutors had argued that the amount his wife paid, about $22 million, was well below market value, but that argument appeared to fail. Ms. Pojaman was acquitted of all charges and the judges did not order the couple to forfeit the land, as prosecutors had requested.

I think that outside of a few rabid dogs, most in the international and domestic communities see this "conviction" as political. Hence the cries to bring him back in shackles fall on deaf ears.

why does he even have a rank if he is no longer working in the police force ?

Royally-bestowed honors are life-long.

Edited August 11, 2015 by bamnutsak

[robblok]

Perhaps i am stupid, why does he even have a rank if he is no longer working in the police force ?

Its a honorary rank and should be stripped just a normal rank once one is convicted IMHO because then he has shamed that rank and should not be able to have it. Same goes for everyone.

[halloween]

Perhaps i am stupid, why does he even have a rank if he is no longer working in the police force ?

It is an honorary title only, allowed in some countries, not in others.

[WitawatWatawit]

.

[bamnutsak]

Well, given the fascination of some with this issue, I think the Scarecrow's character is more apropos.

[robblok]

Thaksin is a convicted criminal on the run.

quote from a news story at the time:

The ruling on Tuesday was made by a special nine-member bench of the Supreme Court known as the Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. The judges ruled 5 to 4 that Mr. Thaksin abused his power when his wife, Pojaman, purchased a plot of desirable land from a government agency controlled by the central bank.

The judges ruled that because Mr. Thaksin was prime minister he was “supposed to work for the benefit of the public.”

Prosecutors had argued that the amount his wife paid, about $22 million, was well below market value, but that argument appeared to fail. Ms. Pojaman was acquitted of all charges and the judges did not order the couple to forfeit the land, as prosecutors had requested.

I think that outside of a few rabid dogs, most in the international and domestic communities see this "conviction" as political. Hence the cries to bring him back in shackles fall on deaf ears.

why does he even have a rank if he is no longer working in the police force ?

Royally-bestowed honors are life-long.

You forget all the other crimes he still needs to be tried for that is what he is on the run for and these are far more serious.

Edited August 11, 2015 by robblok

[halloween]

Thaksin is a convicted criminal on the run.

quote from a news story at the time:

The ruling on Tuesday was made by a special nine-member bench of the Supreme Court known as the Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. The judges ruled 5 to 4 that Mr. Thaksin abused his power when his wife, Pojaman, purchased a plot of desirable land from a government agency controlled by the central bank.

The judges ruled that because Mr. Thaksin was prime minister he was “supposed to work for the benefit of the public.”

Prosecutors had argued that the amount his wife paid, about $22 million, was well below market value, but that argument appeared to fail. Ms. Pojaman was acquitted of all charges and the judges did not order the couple to forfeit the land, as prosecutors had requested.

I think that outside of a few rabid dogs, most in the international and domestic communities see this "conviction" as political. Hence the cries to bring him back in shackles fall on deaf ears.

why does he even have a rank if he is no longer working in the police force ?

Royally-bestowed honors are life-long.

IMHO except for a few rabid sycophants (I like dogs more) people accept that Thaksin was a criminal abusing his office. They also know that nearly every country bans office holders and their families from buying government assets.

Nice of you to raise the old chestnut though.

BTW criminals can be stripped of honours. Ask Rolf.

Edited August 11, 2015 by halloween

[Thrilla]

Yes, and it is well known how vindictive he can be. The powers that be want his rank stripped according to law, but they are reluctant to be the one holding the stick when the bear gets poked.

Exactly, whoever signs off on it is a marked man

[bamnutsak]

They also know that nearly every country bans office holders and their families from buying government assets.

Then nullify the sale, try the wife, repossess the land.

"But, but, but..."

I am a Thaksin-disliker, but for goodness sake use the law properly.

Staging a coup, when he is outside the country is amazingly criminal, not to say cowardly. to convict him of a meaningless "crime" smacks of political retribution.

Exactly, whoever signs off on it is a marked man

Unfortunately, only one man "can sign off on this". There's the rub.

Edited August 11, 2015 by bamnutsak

[Lupatria]

Finally I learned it needs a brave decision to do things according to the law, never mind common sense.

[Oziex1]

Apply the law, not so difficult, if there is provision to apply after leaving that office then apply the law, if not then there is no case.

Why is there a seemingly political will to this issue? rather than concentrate on much bigger and important issues for the country?

Exactly, the country is going down hill faster than the Aussies at Trent Bridge and this is the hot topic. Surely there are more important things to be done.

Yes and the important things are sort the lottery, breed more buffaloes, get the ladies to wear traditional garb, eat rice not bread, just to name a few.

[oneday]

I don't understand why this is so difficult when it seems the whole country, aside from some Red Shirts, hates this guy. The most important part is the people in charge hate him. I know that some Issan people aren't happy with him, so why is this so difficult?