Seri Ruamthai quits coalition over police reform dispute

The Seri Ruamthai Party has withdrawn from the Pheu Thai Party-led government, following frustrations voiced by its leader, Police General Sereepisuth Temeeyaves.

During a briefing at the Seri Ruamthai headquarters yesterday, Sereepisuth announced the party executive board’s decision to vote 7:4 on Tuesday, August 27, to exit the coalition government. Sereepisuth cited the desire to switch to the opposition bench to freely criticise government policies.

“It’s been frustrating to let oneself be walked all over.”

A significant grievance in the party’s dealings with Pheu Thai was the latter’s lack of commitment to police reform, an area of particular interest to the former national police chief. He claimed that Pheu Thai was chiefly interested in determining the appointment of the national police chief.

Sereepisuth revealed that during his tenure as national police chief, he had close relations with former premier Pheu Thai’s de facto leader, Thaksin Shinawatra, and his family. He alleged that Thaksin and his ex-wife, Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, had requested favours in appointing senior police officers, which he had granted.

He also mentioned visiting Thaksin five times during Thaksin’s 17-year self-imposed exile abroad. Additionally, Sereepisuth acknowledged assisting some Pheu Thai politicians through legal means to sideline political rivals under investigation, contributing to Pheu Thai’s significant number of House seats.

When questioned about whether Thaksin had promised him positions in the government, Sereepisuth said that the former premier had expressed feelings of indebtedness multiple times. However, he felt overlooked and not promoted to key police posts.

Visiting Thaskin

Sereepisuth also disclosed that he visited Thaksin twice, once in November last year and again in February this year, while Thaksin was receiving treatment at the Police General Hospital (PGH). Thaksin returned to Thailand on August 22 last year after 15 years in self-imposed exile.

On his return, the Supreme Court sentenced him to eight years in prison in three cases, later reduced to one year via royal clemency. That night, Thaksin was transferred to the PGH due to chest pain, hypertension, and low blood oxygen levels.

Sereepisuth said his visits aimed to resolve a malfeasance complaint he had lodged with the National Anti-Corruption Commission against former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin over Police General Torsak Sukvimol’s appointment as the new police chief. He agreed to drop the complaint, reported Bangkok Post.

He denied betraying Pheu Thai due to not receiving a deputy prime minister post in the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government. Moreover, Sereepisuth hinted that Thaksin’s transfer and his prolonged stay at the PGH might implicate a minister, department chief, and a top hospital executive in legal issues.

“All I can say now is I have severed ties with Thaksin after 51 long years of friendship.”