The Royal Thai Police Restructuring

[slimdog]

Transfer of Kowit 'was unlawful'

A legal interpretation by the police released yesterday suggests the order by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to transfer former chief Kowit Watana out of the force was unlawful.

The finding said Surayud's order used only one major law - Article 11 (5) of the Organisation of State Administration Act of 1991. It did not follow an important subordinate law - Article 62 of the 2004 Royal Thai Police Act, which requires Kowit's mandatory mutual consent to the order.

"Those who exercise authority in the governing of the state are required to follow all relevant laws as a whole. They are not allowed to use only a specific law. A prime minister's authority under Article 11 (5) is applicable to the transfer of one official to another position - but not to revoke that official from his or her previous post," the finding said.

After being replaced by incumbent police chief Seripisut Temiyavej in February, Kowit was assigned a C-10 interim civilian post.

After the transfer of Police General Kowit from the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Seripisut was acting police chief for some time before officially being given the job on April 24.

Police legal advisers said Kowit was still entitled to his post, although not as commander of the RTP. "Not only does the order result in Police General Kowit Watana being transferred from the post of national police chief, it was also given unlawfully…" it concluded.

The Central Administrative Court had earlier turned down Kowit's complaint over his appointment to the PM's Office Ministry, saying it could not intervene in an unfinished and parallel appeal by the Police Commission, which is still considering a complaint by Kowit over his transfer.

Kowit lodged a complaint with the Police Commission to protest his appointment to a position at another government agency without his mutual consent. The Police Commission has not finished looking into his complaint.

Kowit was also considering filing a malfeasance charge against Surayud for transferring him to the civilian post without his mandatory mutual consent, said his lawyer, Narin Wongthai.

source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/04...cs_30033353.php

[Mid]

[Jai Dee]

Subcommittee of the Police Commission favored PMs order to tranfer former RTP chief

The Subcommittee of the Police Commission ruled in favor of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont’s order to transfer former national police chief Kowit Wattana.

Pol. Gen. Achirawit Suphanphesatm, the deputy chairman of the subcommittee, revealed after attending the meeting chaired by Pol. Lt. Gen. Amnuay Ditkawee that the majority of the panel, or nine votes, approved the Prime Minister's order to transfer Pol. Gen. Kowit as the security advisor attach to the Prime Minister’s Office. Gen. Surayud’s order was legalized by the Public Administration Code. The other three members voiced that the case should be forwarded to the Office of the Council for State.

However, Pol. Gen. Kowit can file the case to the Administrative Court once again if he disagrees with the subcommittee.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 May 2007

[Jai Dee]

Kowit ruling on Monday

A court decides on Monday if it will halt former police chief Kowit Watana's transfer to a civilian post as chief internal-security adviser in the Prime Minister's Office.

Police Commission panel chairman Lt-General Amnuay Ditthakawee said the Central Administrative Court would hear arguments on two issues, whether the transfer order given by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont was final and whether Kowit had been properly informed of it before it took effect.

Amnuay did not know if Surayud would appear at the injunction hearing.

Kowit's counsel Narin Wongthai will make statements on behalf of his client, who will not appear.

Narin will allege Kowit was transferred from his police post without his "mandatory mutual consent".

Source: The Nation - 12 May 2007

[Jai Dee]

PM urged to issue decree to overhaul police

The committee to overhaul the Thai police force will propose that Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont should issue a royal decree to set up a public organisation for the development of the workforce, a senior official said Thursday.

Following a meeting Thursday to consider the establishment of an organisation to develop a justice system based on "moral principles", Justice Ministry deputy permanent secretary, Kittipong Kittiyarak said the committee would ask Surayud to issue the royal decree without waiting for the next government.

He said they were not sure whether the next government would maintain the policy to install the 'rule of law' principle in the justice system.

Source: The Nation - 18 May 2007

[Jai Dee]

National police meeting to approve transfer of Ex-police chief

The meeting between national police officials today (May, 23rd) will uphold the resolution of the national police subcommittee approving the prime minister’s order to transfer the former police commissioner-general. It will also consider designating more police generals due to an increase in the Royal Thai Police’s responsibilities.

Today at 10.00 a.m., Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont is scheduled to chair the police meeting to consider the designation of new 87 police generals proposed by Acting Commissioner-General Pol.Gen.Seripisut Temiyavet (เสรีพิศุทธ์ เตมียาเวส). The new generals will be in the post of deputy commander and stationed in the Metropolitan Police Bureau and the Provincial Police Bureau Regions 1 -9.

In addition, the meeting will consider approving the transfer of the ex-police chief Pol.Gen.Kowit Wattana (โกวิท วัฒนะ) to be an advisor of the prime minister. Pol.Gen.Kowit has earlier sued PM on grounds of inappropriate exercise of power in removing him from the police chief post.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 May 2007

[Jai Dee]

Royal Thai Police to add more posts and amend Law of Criminal Procedure

The Royal Thai Police plans to add more positions and will have a discussion on the Law of Criminal Procedure to improve and facilitate the police operation.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont joined the meeting with the police officials today (May 23) and said the police will add more positions to improve their operation and they will focus more on human resource management. In addition, police stations will also be renovated.

The Prime Minister said the police, the Ministry of Justice, and the legal sector will discuss the amendment of the Law of Criminal Procedure as it will facilitate the police in arresting the criminals.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 May 2007

[Jai Dee]

Metropol Commissioner says plans to place RTP under Justice Ministry command will not affect police work

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner said plans to place the Royal Thai Police under the Ministry of Justice will not affect the work of law enforcement officers.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Adisorn Nonsri (อดิศร นนทรีย์) reported on the incident in which the Cabinet discussed plans to revise the National Police Act, and to place the Royal Thai Police under the command of the Ministry of Justice. Pol Lt Gen Adisorn said that many processes require consideration under this proposal.

He reiterated that whether or not the Royal Thai Police were placed under the command of a different agency was not a major issue, as officials are more concerned with public welfare, protection of public property and lives, a fair justice system, increased efficiency among police officers, and greater flexibility in law enforcement operations.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner added that all police officers would be informed of potential changes in order to allow proper adjustments.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Minister of Interior delines to comment over restructuring of national police force

The Minister of Interior declined to comment over intricate details of a Cabinet meeting yesterday (July 3).

Minister of Interior Aree Wongareeya (อารีย์ วงศ์อารยะ) reported that a Cabinet meeting held yesterday involved no discussions of structural reform of the Royal Thai Police, nor discussions of the effects of placing the Royal Thai Police under the command of the Ministry of Justice. Mr. Aree said that government representatives will be tasked with addressing concerns over the issue.

The Minister of Interior added that the restructuring is vastly different if compared to the period in which he was the Permanent Secretary of Interior during the past administration. Mr. Aree said that the National Police Act will involve more mechanisms to increase government control of the nation's police force in terms of investigating police officers and increasing transparency.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Ministry of Justice considers salary increase for non-commissioned police officers

The Deputy Permanent Secretary of Justice reports that salary increases for non-commissioned police officers are currently being expedited.

Deputy Permanent Secretary of Justice Kittipong Kitiyarak (กิตติพงษ์ กิตยารักษ์ ) revealed that the incident in which the Cabinet agreed to revise the National Police Act will require restructuring of the Royal Thai Police institution, including decentralization of power to regional settings under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice. Mr. Kittipong said that work processes, development, monthly salaries and benefits of police officers would be handled by the Ministry of Justice.

A major issue which will be handled by Justice officials include salary increases for more than 200,000 non-commissioned police officers, most of whom currently receive little more than 5,600 baht each month. The Justice Ministry has also proposed the establishment of a public service inspector and deputy inspector in order to allow non-commissioned officers greater opportunity to achieve a commissioned rank.

The Minister of Justice added that a restructuring of the Royal Thai Police institution will include allocating greater authority to the regional and metropolitan police in order to increase transparency and clarity in work processes.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Metropol Commissioner urge officers to increase effort in preventing criminal activities

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner urged police officers at the command level to work towards reduction in criminal activities.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Adisorn Nonsri (อดิศร นนทรีย์ ) hosted a meeting of police officers from the inspector to superintendent rank in order to urge that officers put greater effort towards crime reduction in their jurisdiction, following discovery that crime rates are rising throughout the Bangkok Metropolitan area in the latter half of the year.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner instructed police subordinates to increase their efficiency in preventing crimes, ensuring internal security, establishing social order, and cooperating with other law enforcement agencies. Pol Lt Gen Adisorn added that all police precincts should work towards resolving case loads which are more than 10 years old. Biannual evaluation will be conducted in order to assess officers' work.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 July 2007

[Mid]

Police reform a tough sell

By Sanitsuda Ekachai

Judging from the outcry from senior police officers, the government's police reform plan won't be a bed of roses.

Past governments have all failed at it. Will the Surayud government succeed? Scrambling through the thorny bushes may even cause some blood to spill.

snip

Do we want a police or a military state? Our country is in position of utter hopelessness because we don't have a choice.

The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd

[Jai Dee]

Interior Deputy Minister remains tight-lipped to the new restructuring of police force

Deputy Minister of Interior Pol.Lt.Gen.Theerawut Butsriphum (ธีรวุฒิ บุตรศรีภูมิ) declined to give further details concerning the restructuring of the Royal Thai Police, saying that it is the government’s decision.

Pol.Lt.Gen.Theerawut says he cannot give a definite answer to wehtehr the Thai police force will be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. No matter the outcome is, as a minister, he has to obey the decision of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on the matter.

Meanwhile, the premier also declined to give his thoughts concerning the new restructuring of the Royal Thai Police force. He is scheduled to travel to Phetchabun province to monitor a project on the development of the Nam Nao (น้ำหนาว) Water Source today (July, 5th)

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Interior Deputy Minister affirms police restructuring has no hidden agenda

Deputy Minister of Interior Pol.Lt.Gen.Theerawut Butsriphum (ธีรวุฒิ บุตรศรีภูมิ) affirms the restructuring of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) has no hidden agenda, adding that the government has yet resolved whether the police will be transferred to operate under the Ministry of Justice.

The deputy minister reveals that the government is listening to opinions and comments from all sides concerning the police restructuring. He adds that he cannot say for sure whether it is possible for the police to be moved back to the Ministry of Interior like in the past.

However, Pol.Lt.Gen.Theerawut says he personally thinks that the police should operate under the Office of the Prime Minister. The government has a plan to call a meeting to discuss the matter with the Police Association after he has returned from his trip in the Deep South.

Asked whether there will be any progress concerning the police restructuring within this month, Pol.Lt.Gen.Theerawut says it depends on the Council of the State’s consideration into the Police Restructuring Act draft.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 July 2007

[hammered]

The decentralisation and the implementation of real public scrutiny seem to be good ideas and not at all liked by the old guard of the police. it is interesting too that the police do not want o be under the ministry of justice. Maybe they dont see themselves as part of the justice system.

[Tony Clifton]

Or maybe many of them don't want to lose on the scams they gave going on.

[hammered]

Or maybe many of them don't want to lose on the scams they gave going on.

Now now we are not meant to raise the real issue here.

[gust]

Former police chiefs close ranks

Reforms condemned as politically motivated

WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM & ANUCHA CHAROENPO

Former police chiefs turned out in force yesterday to defend the status quo following the cabinet's endorsement of two bills which would bring drastic changes to the police force. They decried the proposed police reform plan and questioned the timing of the proposal, which they claimed lacked police input and could be politically motivated.

Under the plan, much authority would be channelled away from the Bangkok headquarters to regional police offices and an independent body would be set up to investigate complaints about police misconduct. The police force, now supervised by the Prime Minister's Office, may also be placed under the Justice Ministry.

Former police chiefs and senior officers met at the Police Club in Bangkok to debate the looming changes.

Source: http://bangkokpost.com/News/06Jul2007_news...p

[Jai Dee]

PM to hear police grouses

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont will hear complaints at a special meeting on July 18 from active and retired police generals about the government bill radically restructuring the Royal Thai Police.

Kittiphong Kittayarak, deputy permanent secretary at the Justice Ministry, said yesterday the session to be held at Government House.

Later all police will be surveyed for their opinions on the proposed changes.

Surayud ordered the establishment of the panel to look into reorganising the RTP following widespread discrimination by police in handling criminal actions against members of anti-Thaksin Shinawa-tra movements while siding with pro-Thaksin groups before last September's military coup.

Justice Minister Charnchai Likhitjittha earlier said the idea to overhaul the RTP had not come from the military but was just a government initiative that he thought would best benefit the public. The bill did not propose scrapping the Royal Police Cadet Academy but suggested ways to upgrade its academic standards in line with those of other universities, he said.

Justice permanent secretary Charan Phakdithanakul said the issue should be discussed and debated during the vetting of the bill under the Council of State's supervision.

"The issue should not be judged or finalised by any of the parties. A neutral third party should have the final say on it," he said.

Source: The Nation - 07 July 2007

[Mid]

how's it go ,

to serve and protect ................................

[Tony Clifton]

how's it go ,

to serve and protect ................................

That's the plan, and it apparently works in other countries.

Until now, they're stuck on "To self-serve and collect".

[Thaising]

how's it go ,

to serve and protect ................................

That's the plan, and it apparently works in other countries.

Until now, they're stuck on "To self-serve and collect".

Decentralized power meant less influence and pocket money down the chain, that's why majority of the generals feel very unhappy.

[Jai Dee]

Bill to reform police will go ahead

The bill aimed at drastically restructuring the Royal Thai Police will go through the vetting process and not be withdrawn despite opposition by police officers, Justice Ministry deputy permanent secretary Kittiphong Kittayarak said yesterday.

The hearings to accept opinions from the public, active policemen and ex-officers will begin on July 18 as scheduled during the scrutiny process by the Council of State. Public hearings will then be opened across the country on the Council of State's version.

Kittiphong, secretary of the government's Police Works Development Committee, said his panel had paid Assumption University's Abac Poll Research Centre to conduct an opinion poll that was released on Tuesday. However, the committee could not influence the results, which reflected respondents' dissatisfaction with police performance.

Kittiphong said the police could also propose a bill suggesting ideas on improving the force to be vetted alongside the government's version.

He also welcomed a Royal Thai Police bill proposing licensed private security services, which he said could help ease the burden on the police.

Nopphadol Kannika, director of the Abac Poll Centre, countered an open statement by the Royal Thai Police complaining about Tuesday's poll results showing negative public opinions of the force, saying it was not fair to compare results of different polls conducted on different occasions and based on different criteria.

He said results of an Abac poll voicing opinions on police performance and the ongoing restructuring process, also paid for by Kittiphong's panel, would be released today.

A police committee looking into the government's bill will today make public its study report, chairman Pol General Wisut Kittiwat said.

The study will detail police officers' comments on 10 major conditions in the bill with which they disagree.

The session, to be held at the Royal Thai Police compound, will be attended by active and retired police generals including ailing former police chief Monchai Phankhongchuen and former interior minister Pramarn Adireksan.

Source: The Nation - 12 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Deputy Permanent Secretary of Justice believes solution to national police restructuring will be derived in August

The Deputy Permament Secretary of Justice believes that the National Police Development Commission will arrive at a solution to the restructuring of the national police within August.

Deputy Permanent Secretary of Justice Kittipong Kittiyarak (กิตติพงษ์ กิตยารักษ์ ) says that the National Police Development Commission will hold a meeting to collect public input on state restructuring of the national police on July 18th. The commission's conclusions will be reported to the Office of the Council of State in order to develop a concrete operational plan.

A forum comprised of police officers and members of the public will be established in order to generate ideas. The Royal Thai Police will be allowed to make revisions to legal enactments drafts during the process. The Deputy Permanent Secretary of Justice affirmed his belief that civilian and former police officers on the National Police Development Commission will be capable of implementing policies to restructure the national police.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 July 2007

[slapout]

"No country can be well governed unless the citizens keep religiously before their minds that they are the guardians of the law and the law officers are only the machinery for its excuition, nothing more". These words of wisdom were uttered 100+- years ago, and could be used in Thailand to great effect.

[Scott]

Let me see.....this is the military reforming the police? Isn't that like fox reorganizing the hen house?

[sonnyJ]

Organize???

[jbowman1993]

Bringing changes to the police is one of the best things that the Surayad governement has done. The police who are protesting live in a dream world, where they think that Thai people like and respect them. They are completely off base, Thai people fear the police, and the changes proposed will be welcomed by the majority of citizens.

For all the whining we do on this board about the "military government" this is a feather in their hat, if they can get it implemented.

Kudos to Surayud for this bold and much needed move!

[Jai Dee]

Reform 'will hinder force'

Decentralisation and public role not part of proposals, claims Charnwut

The government bill aimed at radically restructuring the Royal Thai Police does not propose any measures that would promote decentralisation of power and public participation, as boasted by those who drafted it, deputy police chief General Charnwut Watcharaphuk said yesterday.

Charnwut said the power to run the new police force, as proposed in the bill, would be assigned to certain supervisory committees whose members were civilians, including officials from the Justice and Interior ministries and even university lecturers.

"That doesn't reflect the genuine principle on decentralisation of power," he said, adding that he found no conditions in the bill that ensured safety under the new structure or that the public could participate in ensuring a greater role.

Charnwut, who has coordinated the police's opposition to the bill, admitted that some of the 10 major conditions proposed in the bill were good, but many conditions would make the police's work and public service "difficult and troublesome".

He said a proposal made by the police alongside the government bill offered useful solutions including the set-up of a new division to cope with international crimes and the influx of illegal labourers to Thailand, the re-establishment of several support units and the establishment of units to handle women's and children's affairs in all regional police divisions.

Asked to comment on how police officers would react if the Council of State approved the bill - also known as "Wasit's Version" due to the role played in its drafting by former crime-buster Wasit Dejkunchorn - Charnwut said: "That will be a pessimistic scenario."

Former police chiefs and many retired police generals earlier met at the Royal Thai Police Club to discuss their efforts to oppose the bill. Former police chief Sawas Amornwiwat questioned the junta-installed government's efforts to restructure only the police, saying it had done nothing about other institutions in the justice system.

Sawas also admitted that police officers had shifted to "neutral gear" when dealing with those in power during the Thaksin Shinawatra government who were subject to criminal liability, but had diligently taken action against those in the anti-Thaksin movements.

"Before the coup, the police could hardly not respond to orders given by the former prime minister, who was a police officer, or they faced hardship in their career for disobeying orders," he said.

Source: The Nation - 14 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

RTP assigns Deputy Commissioner General to address concerns over restructuring of national police

The Royal Thai Police has assigned Pol Gen Wonggot Maneerin (วงกต มณีรินทร์) to address any queries into the restructuring of the national police structure.

Interim Royal Thai Police Commissioner General Pol Gen Seripisuth Themeyaves (เสรีพิศุทธ์ เตมียาเวส ) reports that he has assigned Deputy Royal Thai Police Commissioner General Pol Gen Wonggot Maneerin (วงกต มณีรินทร์) the task of addressing questions and concerns related to plans to restructure the national police organization at Government House on July 18th.

Issues to be addressed during the Government House meeting include the Ministry of Justice's future role in managing the national police, and the Cabinet's stance towards the national police restructuring plan. The Interim Royal Thai Police Commissioner General expressed his support of planned revisions to the National Police Act, though he cautioned that changes must be brought about in an orderly manner.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 July 2007