Ex-narcotics chief’s video tantrum on evading arrest causes uproar

A video has surfaced, causing a massive uproar as Police Lieutenant General Rewat Klinkesorn, the former head of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, was shown advising a teacher on how to have his students attack comedian Udom Taepanich, without leaving evidence that could lead to police arrest.

The clip has sparked a debate about the ethics of such actions and the role of law enforcement officers in society.

During a conversation with a teacher, Rewat can be heard saying, “No, no, just have our students ambush and beat him up. Oh, teacher, like this, bring your students and I will train them on how not to leave any evidence, and how to avoid police capture. And since you train them well in armed combat, just ambush the guy so he can’t speak anymore.”

This statement was perceived as shocking by many, as it seemed to encourage violence and teach ways to evade law enforcement, causing a massive public outcry.

Rewat Klinkesorn further suggested, “Why doesn’t the teacher kick him on stage? Bring your students, I’ll advise you. It will be over quickly. Or maybe the teacher should challenge [Udom] to a fight? Come on teacher, you can take him, you’re younger. You said his fighting is not good.”

In another segment, Rewat’s comments took a more serious turn. He referred to an incident where he believed comedian Udom Taepanich had shown disrespect towards the monarchy, a grave offence in Thai culture.

Legal lines

“I just want to tell him that there are plenty of ways to make a living. Can’t he pick something else? There are so many topics to joke about, so why does it have to be this one? As for my comment about kicking him if I was there, I only thought it—I could think it, I could say it, but I couldn’t actually do it. I’m not that harsh. I would only stand up against those who are a threat to the nation.”

He further addresses how the comedian walks right between the lines of legality.

“If you listen carefully, there were no words that were illegal. But he knew himself well enough to know that he intended to make a jab at someone.”

The video has become a hot topic of conversation, raising questions about the boundaries of speech and the influence of former law enforcement officials on public discourse, highlighting the tensions that can arise when public figures engage in heated debates and the potential for such disagreements to escalate into suggestions of violence, reported Khaosod.

This story illustrates the delicate balance between freedom of expression and respect for legal and cultural norms in Thailand, a country where the monarchy is highly revered and protected by strict lèse-majesté laws.

The release of this video has prompted discussions about the appropriateness of public figures advocating for actions that could potentially harm others and evade the law.