BANGKOK, Oct 29 (TNA) - The Royal Thai Police disciplinary committee on Thursday resolved to dismiss former Bangkok metropolitan police commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Muankaew following the ruling of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) that he had committed serious malfeasance and had broken discipline for his role in the October 7 police crackdown on the Yellow Shirt protesters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
The NACC earlier ruled that criminal charges should be brought against former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and then deputy premier Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyut, while seven high-ranking police officers, including the national police chief and metropolitan police chief, should be charged with criminal offences and disciplinary action in connection with the police crackdown against the yellow-clad protesters on October 7 last year which left two protesters dead and nearly 500 demonstrators wounded or injured.
The action of the police disciplinary committee was reported by its chair, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong, who told reporters after its meeting Thursday that the committee moved to dismiss Gen Suchart, commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 4, now on temporary duty at the Royal Thai Police Office, from police service.
Gen Suchart at that time was Bangkok metropolitan police chief assigned to control the PAD protesters and ensure the maintenance of law and order in the capital.
The disciplinary committee also acted to dismiss Udon Thani provincial police commissioner Pol Maj-Gen Permsak Paradonsak from service, in a separate incident, for failing to stop the Red Shirt protesters of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) from attacking PAD protesters who were protesting in Udon on July 24 last year, injuring several dozen protesters.
The disciplinary committee's decision came after the NACC found that he had committed a grave disciplinary offence for failing to prevent the clash between the two rival groups of protesters.
Gen Priewpan said that based on the NACC rulings there are only two disciplinary options for the national police bureau to bring against for the two commissioners, dismissal with benefits or dismissal without benefits.
The ‘softest’ action the board can take is dismissal with benefits, said Gen Priewpan, as the board recognised they had done their best to control their respective situations.
The committee decisions were also made in comparison with the punishment meted out against ex-police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan on his role in the October 7 incident.
Gen Priewpan said that the meeting resolutions will be forwarded to acting national police chief Pol Gen Patheep Tanprasert for his endorsement.
If the two officers feel that they have been treated unfairly, said the deputy police chief, they can file complaints at the Criminal and Administrative Courts.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva signed the dismissal order for Gen Patcharawat retroactively on October 16 although he retired on October 1, as suggested by a joint meeting of the Office of the Council of State, the Prime Minister's Office, the Office of the Police Commission and the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC). (TNA)
Political News : Last Update : 16:53:12 29 October 2009 (GMT+7:00)
|
