BANGKOK, Oct 28 (TNA) - Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban said Wednesday that removing the police rank of persons convicted of a crime, such as ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is a normal practice for convicted officials of the National Police Bureau.
The Office of the Council of State on Tuesday advised the Secretariat of the Cabinet to remove the 'Police Lieutenant-Colonel' police rank of the ex-premier and recall his decorations as he was convicted two-year-jail term for violating conflict of interest law in the controversial Bangkok's Ratchadapisek land purchase deal last year.
Mr Thaksin, ousted by bloodless coup in September 2006, jumped bail last year and fled Thailand before the court read its verdict. He now lives in exile, mainly in the United Arab Emirates. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs revoked his Thai passport, but he has travelled to some countries with foreign passports.
The deputy premier said that stripping the rank from Mr Thaksin follows normal procedures for any police or soldier holding rank and/or decorations commits malfeasance.
"Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has nothing to do with removing (Mr Thaksin’s) rank," said Mr Suthep.
As overseer of the National Police Bureau, Mr Suthep added that he ordinarily receives rank removal cases of security officials who have committed an offence as reported by their agency.
But in the case of the former premier, Mr Suthep said, he does not know where the case is now or at what stage it is at, saying it is duty of the Royal Thai Police to handle the case. (TNA)
Political News : Last Update : 13:13:35 28 October 2009 (GMT+7:00)
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