Security units prepare for rice pledging scheme case conclusion

 

BANGKOK, 9 August 2017 (NNT) – The commander of the Royal Thai Army has revealed a meeting has been called to assess the situation anticipated on the day the verdict of the previous government’s rice pledging scheme case is read with the Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs assuring steps will be taken to avoid any chaos on the day. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has said that security measures have been prepared to keep supporters of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in line when she travels to hear the verdict for the case involving her administration’s rice pledging program.

 

Gen Prawit said the government has instructed all security units to pay close attention throughout the month of August both due to the case conclusion and as it is the anniversary of the bombing incident at Ratchaprasong intersection.

Army Commander Gen Chalermchai Sitthisart meanwhile, said his force is in the process of assessing the situation expected at the court date and has called a meeting next week among all relevant agencies. He noted nonetheless that the army will only be playing a supporting role to police. 

Minister of Justice Suwaphan Tanyuwattana commented on the Administrative Court’s request to the Legal Execution Department for aid in considering mitigating factors in the rice pledging scheme case, saying that data is still being collected from the Ministry of Finance and relevant banks. He assured the principle of law would be maintained.

 

-- nnt 2017-08-09

Reconciliation.

He assured the principle of law would be maintained, in principle.

 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

the army will only be playing a supporting role to police. 

That is not comforting, especially if the Rule of Law is to prevail.

In fact the army operates under absolute power granted by and to NCPO Chief Prayut. The rule of law is whatever Prayut decides.

Thus, it will be Prayut who decides the degree and timing of any military action if the police are perceived to be ineffective against crowd control.

 

In 2008 it was PM Abhisit and DPM Suthep who ordered "security forces" (police & military) to fire into the protesting crowd under the order of an Emergency Decree to disperse protesters. The courts held Abhisit's orders were legal. Now we have Prayut as the Chief of the NCPO and PM who is in a far more authoritarian position to directly command all security forces.