NACC finds against police chief

[CrazyExpat]

A National Anti-Corruption Commission ruling against national police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwon could tip the scales on the selection of his successor.

The NACC has charged Pol Gen Patcharawat and then metropolitan police chief Suchart Mueankaew with committing criminal and disciplinary offences in connection with the crackdown on protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy at Government House on Oct 7 last year.

It has also brought criminal charges against former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and his deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh for their part in the crackdown.

A police source said Pol Gen Patcharawat would be suspended from duty as police chief pending a trial.

Puea Thai Party MP for Nakhon Ratchasima and former police officer Somchai Phetprasert said Pol Gen Patcharawat would be sidelined from a meeting of the 11-member board of the Royal Thai Police Office to select the new police chief as a result of the charges.

He said this would divide the votes equally for inspector-general Pateep Tanprasert who is being backed for the position by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Of the 11 board members present at the last board meeting on Aug 20, five voted against the appointment of Pol Gen Pateep while four voted for him. Mr Abhisit and one other member abstained.

Pol Gen Patcharawat was among the majority of board members who rejected Pol Gen Pateep. They favoured deputy police chief Chumpol Manmai.

Pol Lt Col Somchai said efforts had also been made to pressure permanent secretary for interior Wichai Srikwan to vote for Pol Gen Pateep.

If Mr Wichai, one of the majority board members who voted against Pol Gen Pateep, continued to refuse to support Pol Gen Pateep, he could earn the wrath of senior figures in government and land himself in trouble over the Alpine land saga. This could cost him his job, Pol Lt Col Somchai said.

NACC spokesman Klanarong Chanthik said the national anti-graft body would put forward its case against the four to the Office of the Attorney-General.

He said the public prosecution would have to consider within 30 days whether to submit the cases to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

The NACC will also send its recommendations regarding the disciplinary charges against the two senior police officers to the premier to consider disciplinary action against them.

Mr Klanarong said even though Gen Chavalit resigned as deputy prime minister after the crackdown, this did not mean he could escape responsibility for the damage resulting from his order for police to clear the way for lawmakers to enter parliament on Oct 7.

Mr Klanarong said inquiries found Pol Gen Patcharawat did nothing to stop the violent crackdown.

He said Pol Gen Patcharawat was duty-bound to ensure the safety of people when dealing with demonstrations.

Mr Klanarong said the NACC had dropped charges brought against deputy police chief Viroj Phaholvej and deputy metropolitan police chiefs including Pol Maj Gen Likhit Klin-ouan, Pol Maj Gen Akekarat Meepreecha, Pol Maj Gen Wibul Bangthamai and Pol Maj Gen Chakthip Chaijinda and members of the security forces on duty that day as there was no evidence linking them to the incident.

Gen Chavalit yesterday said he was disappointed with the NACC ruling.

He said he had testified before the agency that he had not ordered the security forces to use force against the protesters. He said he would fight in court to prove his innocence.

Mr Somchai said the NACC had not summoned him to present his version of the events and defend himself. He also said he would fight the charges.

Pol Gen Patcharawat said he would continue to perform his duties as national police chief until he received a legal order suspending him from duty.

At dawn on Oct 7, riot police fired tear gas at thousands of PAD protesters who had sealed the entrances to parliament.

In the melee that followed, two demonstrators were killed and hundreds of protesters and police were injured.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/local/23438/nacc-finds-against-police-chief

Writer: PRADIT RUANGDIT AND AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

Published: 8/09/2009 at 12:00 AM