No legal obstacle to stripping Thaksin of police rank: Justice Minister

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POLITICS
No legal obstacle to stripping Thaksin of police rank : Justice Minister
WIRAJ SRIPONG
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FORMER prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra could be stripped of his rank as a police lieutenant colonel - in accordance with the law - despite the fact he was not in the force when he committed crimes, Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya said yesterday.

The minister called a meeting of related agencies yesterday after the Royal Thai Police failed to make any progress on stripping Thaksin of his former rank.

After, Paiboon said Thaksin's police rank could be removed in accordance with the 2004 Police Rank Revocation Regulation.

"So far, the rule has been applied to 636 people who possessed police ranks," he told a press conference after the meeting, adding that it had been applied to police officers in service and those no longer in service.

Representatives from the Council of State, Ministry of Justice and Royal Thai Police attended the meeting yesterday.

The move to strip Thaksin of his rank as a police lieutenant colonel began long ago. But the matter got further impetus early this year when Thaksin criticised the coup during a media interview in South Korea. His speech was also considered to have violated the lese majeste law.

As the calls for action from Thaksin's enemies became louder, national police chief General Somyot Poompanmuang set up a panel to work on the case in May. But it has failed to achieve any progress.

The police chief has the authority to propose that any officers who commit crimes should have their rank removed. Thaksin was convicted in 2008 of abuse of power over a land deal. But Somyot had been reluctant to act, believing the law applied only to police in service.

"Now, it depends on the chief of the national police and the internal process of the Royal Thai Police," said Paiboon, adding that he would submit a report on today's meeting to inform the prime minister on Thursday.

Asked about the timeframe on this matter, the minister said it would depend on international processes by the national police office.

Meanwhile, Pol General Chaiya Siriampankul - chairman of the Commission that looked at revoking Thaksin's rank - said all sides agreed applying this regulation to Thaksin's case was in line with the law.

Earlier, Thaksin's son Panthongtae challenged the government in a post on Facebook to end the saga, saying: "[if] stripping Thaksin's rank ... would help to improve the [situation in the country], please do so".

By doing this, the government would be able to spend more time helping farmers still struggling and waiting for government help, Panthongtae said.

"I believe that revocation of my father's rank will not affect my father's feelings that much.

"At this moment, if my father had a choice, he would rather opt to live his life as Mr Thaksin, who can live with his family and grandchildren like ordinary people," Panthongtae said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/No-legal-obstacle-to-stripping-Thaksin-of-police-r-30266411.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-12

[NongKhaiKid]

What a farce but a classic dose of Thainess.

If no legal problem why hasn't it been done, why will no one take the decision ?

We have to suspect it's just a case of 3rd party insurance for the future so let someone else make the decision.

Brewery and organising over indulgence in its product comes to mind.

[EricBerg]

A convicted criminal on the run cannot have any police rank in the country where he was convicted. Ridiculous that there has to be so much fuzz about it.

[thesetat2013]

What really irks me is here we have Thailand. Where their police chief of the country acts according to what he thinks or believes instead of action on the letter of the law as stated here. There will never be equality and fairness as long as the bosses don't follow the laws as written and enforce them without prejudice.

[ezzra]

Bless those little Thai hearts that are so hesitant to cause a person a lose of face and standings,

be they so merciful, kind, soft and slow to act, knowing than one day, they will be in the very same

hot seat that Mr T is right now, and setting a precedent is a double ended sward.....

[MaxLee]

What a farce but a classic dose of Thainess.

If no legal problem why hasn't it been done, why will no one take the decision ?

We have to suspect it's just a case of 3rd party insurance for the future so let someone else make the decision.

Brewery and organising over indulgence in its product comes to mind.

Could have, should have, would have,..... the favorite terms of Thainess or in other words the best Thai XXXXXXcuses that things will never happen.

So why's the puppet of the mastermind in Dubai still not in jail???

[PatOngo]

What a farce but a classic dose of Thainess.

If no legal problem why hasn't it been done, why will no one take the decision ?

We have to suspect it's just a case of 3rd party insurance for the future so let someone else make the decision.

Brewery and organising over indulgence in its product comes to mind.

Could have, should have, would have,..... the favorite terms of Thainess or in other words the best Thai XXXXXXcuses that things will never happen.

So why's the puppet of the mastermind in Dubai still not in jail???

Jails are for common people, Hiso don't go to jail, they are above the law!...................get it?

[robblok]

What a farce but a classic dose of Thainess.

If no legal problem why hasn't it been done, why will no one take the decision ?

We have to suspect it's just a case of 3rd party insurance for the future so let someone else make the decision.

Brewery and organising over indulgence in its product comes to mind.

Indeed everyone is affraid for the extreme vindictiveness of the PTP. We know what that they led red shirts go after judges and giving out private information on them. There is no telling what this dangerous group will do.

But in this case I just think the police chief is thinking of his future and worried he might not get any nice jobs anymore if any of Thaksins allies come to power. The guy is already trying to scam the force out of money with his gun deal for the police force. I hope they deny him his gun deal. (might even be tied in with this.. you agree to this then you can have the gun deal)

[zaphod reborn]

Of course there is no legal obstacle. But shouldn't they really be considering stripping Somyot of his rank, before he becomes eligible for his pension? His recent performance has been worthy of a prosecution.

[Khun Paul]

This is the THAINESS we hear so much about well done the PM for ensuring we all know and understand THAINESS, If there is NO LEGAL OBSTACLE, stop prevaricating and DO IT !!!!!!!!!!!

[bristolgeoff]

i think he lost the thai passport as well,so just continue with the rest.

[Lupatria]

Well, there are certain laws, rules, and regulations in this country but enforcement depends on weather conditions, predictions from fortune tellers and on weekdays. Btw which day is it today?

[gchurch259]

Bring Trump over here to say "Your Fired", how difficult is it to remove a convicted felons Police Rank ? I do not think it is a Life Tenure !!

As I have said many times, Thailand's greatest need it Education so they will have circumspect and see how the rest of the World lives and operates. Sometimes that is good and sometimes bad.

[tracker1]

OK no problem can be done ! you do it !,no you do it !, no no you do it !, we will get him to do it ! what about we get them to do it ! oh <deleted> it back to the road map !!!

[ratcatcher]

[dickyknee]

Hot potato.

[wabothai]

I am sure Somyot got some serious threats, that´s why.

[rubl]

The 'good' son probably meant

"[if] stripping Thaksin's rank ... is just applying the law, please do so".

[jesimps]

Do it for goodness sake and stop boring the Esra off everyone. I'm bored, I bet you Thaksin's bored, the only ones who aren't it seems are the junta.

[jesimps]

Do it for goodness sake and stop boring the esra off everyone. I'm bored, I bet you Thaksin's bored, the only ones who aren't it seems are the junta.

I've just read about 8 students being killed in a road accident, wish they'd obsess about this as much as they do about Thaksin.

Edited August 12, 2015 by jesimps

[rubl]

Do it for goodness sake and stop boring the Esra off everyone. I'm bored, I bet you Thaksin's bored, the only ones who aren't it seems are the junta.

There also seem a number of posters who are mightily annoyed. Terms like 'illegal', 'diverting resources', 'nothing better to do?' have been hurt. Even the 'oh i'm bored, just do it' is a diversion.

[mango66]

Thailand is arooted cheating country !!

Every lawmaker - and with this i want to say Every - will make laws with holes,

which will him allow to escape any prosecution against them !!

Why !

As they sure they will cheat and bribe as any gvt in past and in future !!

Like in EU - UK soccer is sport number 1 !

In LOS - Cheating and bribing is favoured as No. 1 !!

Marry in a Thai family - and you will see it -

it starts in the own family - daylie !!

Thai sport No. 1 !!

[mmh8]

perhaps tis but a plan to lead him into false sense of security, then arrest.

oh tit edness

[mango66]

Well, there are certain laws, rules, and regulations in this country but enforcement depends on weather conditions, predictions from fortune tellers and on weekdays. Btw which day is it today?

Seems Thais make always 2 laws and use that one which conciniances them;

Now Somyot fears, if he strip now thaksin,

and if on any election, 1st or maybe 2nd, the reds are back,

Thaksin will get it back ( they will find some law that it waas irregular ,

same time they will stripp Somyots rank, because he did incorrect to strip Thaksin;

Bingo !!

So the high society in LOS will never heart each other - you never know !!

And therefore all they fear to tuch the Taksins really -

everywhere in the world you would finish the open 20 courtcases against Thaksin,

even he escaped to abroad,

just in Thailand - nothing will happen to you !!

[lvr181]

Just do it and stop procrastinating!

[lvr181]

"At this moment, if my father had a choice, he would rather opt to live his life as Mr Thaksin," Panthongtae said.

Gosh, Oak wants to rescind Dad's dubious doctorate as well as his illegally retained police rank.

Police Lieutenant-Colonel Dr. Thaksin now becomes simply fugitive Mr. Thaksin.

Isn't that so nice of his son to say that. Perhaps Panthongtae should advise his father to voluntarily give up his rank and "doctorate" so that he can become, simply, Mr Thaksin!

Really?

Damn, there goes another pink elephant flying by my window

[jesimps]

Do it for goodness sake and stop boring the Esra off everyone. I'm bored, I bet you Thaksin's bored, the only ones who aren't it seems are the junta.

There also seem a number of posters who are mightily annoyed. Terms like 'illegal', 'diverting resources', 'nothing better to do?' have been hurt. Even the 'oh i'm bored, just do it' is a diversion.

Telling someone to do something they've been dithering about for ages is a diversion? Ting tong logic if ever I saw it.

[rubl]

Do it for goodness sake and stop boring the Esra off everyone. I'm bored, I bet you Thaksin's bored, the only ones who aren't it seems are the junta.

There also seem a number of posters who are mightily annoyed. Terms like 'illegal', 'diverting resources', 'nothing better to do?' have been hurt. Even the 'oh i'm bored, just do it' is a diversion.

Telling someone to do something they've been dithering about for ages is a diversion? Ting tong logic if ever I saw it.

Tell Jatuporn.

[springheeled jack]

all this nonsense about stripping Thaksin of his police rank why don't they just get on with it I don't think he will shed any tears over it I think its much ado about nothing .