Ex-PM Somchai to contest criminal charges on Oct 7 crackdown

BANGKOK, Sept 7 (TNA) – Former Thai prime minister Somchai Wongsawat said on Monday he has not received fair treatment from the National Counter-Corruption Commission (NCCC) and will appoint lawyers to contest malfeasance charges for his role in the crackdown on the yellow-shirted anti-government protesters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on October 7 last year.

The NCCC ruled on Monday that criminal and disciplinary action should be taken against Mr Somchai, then deputy premier Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyut and seven high-ranking police officers including the country’s current National Police Chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan for committing malfeasance, or acts which are legally unjustified, harmful or contrary to law or in violation of public trust, in ordering and using force to disperse the crowd of PAD protesters.

Two PAD protesters were killed and nearly 500 others were wounded or injured when police fired teargas into their ranks near Parliament and at Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters.

Mr Somchai said that he did not have a chance to defend himself and did not receive fair treatment from the NCCC and that the anti-graft agency seemed to be in a hurry to conclude the case.

The former premier said that prior to the NCCC ruling, he had asked to give more evidence and asked to review documents that the agency used in the case but that NCCC denied the access, saying that they were classified documents.

The Administrative Court is in the process of considering whether he has the right to access the documents, he said, adding that the NCCC ruled without waiting for the recommendation from the Administrative Court.

Mr Somchai said he did not intend to argue or attack anyone but he would exercise his basic rights under the Constitution to defend himself from the charges.

He added that he wanted the public to know the truth that he did not do anything evil and he was confidence that he is innocent.

While the PAD surrounded Parliament to protest against the Somchai government, then prime minister Somchai called a special Cabinet meeting on October 6, which resolved that the police should open a passage for members of parliament, both from the Lower House and the Senate, to attend a joint session for the government to present its policy at Parliament as scheduled.

Mr Somchai said the using of tear gas was at the discretion of the security personnel as they were responsible to maintain law and order. He also denied that the Cabinet resolved to disperse the protesters.

Meanwhile, Gen Patcharawat told reporters that he would carry on at his post until there is any order to the contrary from a superior.

Other police officers facing criminal and disciplinary charges included the then commander of the Metropolitan Police Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Muankaew, deputy commanders of the Metropolitan Police Pol Maj-Gen Likit Klinuan, Pol Maj Gen Akarat Meeprecha, Pol Maj-Gen Wiboon Bangthamai and Pol Maj-Gen Chakthip Chaijinda.

Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Wiroj Paholwet only faces disciplinary action.

The NCCC will submit the case to the Attorney-Generals Office to file charges at the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Position Holders for a final ruling.

As for the disciplinary action, the NCCC will send the case to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to forward it to consider the action by both the police board and the Police Commission within 30 days and to report the decision on punishment to the NCCC within 15 days.

There were reportedly two options for punishment, dismissal or being decommissioned. (TNA)