Political activist to report Prime Minister of Thailand for alleged interference in police appointments

Renowned political activist Srisuwan Janya pledged yesterday to lodge a formal complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) concerning an alleged statement by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

The contested statement revolves around the 61 year old prime minister’s reported claim that some members of the Pheu Thai Party had meddled with the appointment process for police station chiefs.

The Thailand prime minister allegedly informed party MPs at a meeting on November 21 that the impending appointment of new police station chiefs would draw mixed reactions due to the lack of available positions to accommodate all party candidates. Detractors have interpreted this remark as an admission of interference in the police station chiefs’ appointing process.

However, PM Srettha has categorically refuted these allegations, clarifying that his comments at the meeting solely addressed the police’s efforts to crack down on loan sharks, a key focus of the government’s debt resolution strategy.

Srisuwan argues that the Thai PM’s remarks constitute a serious violation of the ethical standards expected of political officeholders. He has pledged to submit a petition against the Bangkok-born Thai PM today, complete with supporting evidence.

According to Srisuwan, the prime minister’s comments demonstrate that the prime minister, in his role as Police Commission chairman, abused his power to unduly influence the promotion of police officials.

Srisuwan claimed that such interference contravenes Section 185(3) and Section 186 of the 2017 constitution, which outlines the ethical responsibilities of political officeholders, reported Bangkok Post.

When questioned about the call for his resignation over these allegations by Seri Ruam Thai Party leader and former national police chief, Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, the prime minister merely smiled and asked for the next question.

Meanwhile, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a listed MP from the opposition Move Forward Party, expressed his intention to encourage the House Committee on police affairs to investigate the Thai PM’s alleged interference. He also plans to submit a motion requesting a debate on the allegations in the forthcoming House session.

“If the NACC finds grounds to the allegations, forwards the case to a court, and the court finds the prime minister guilty, he will be banned from politics for 10 years.”