PM's Abhisit Police Battle

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

PM's Abhisit Police Battle

That it has become a high-stake high drama is now obvious. Still it's still difficult for me to imagine why such a mundane issue as an appointment of a new police chief should deserve such a special attention -- negotiations, bickerings and more back-room negotiations -- to the extent it is now billed as the very thing that will determine the future of the present prime minister.
Intense and vital the pending appointment is portrayed to be, no Thai has ever been informed about what qualities each eligible candidate has. Isn't that fascinating?
Indeed, we Thais are left in the dark and fed nothing. How many of the top cops are qualified? What does each of them intend to do for the police force? And for us? Will Thai cops become better with a new chief?
I find it strange that the appointment of the police chief is only a factor in the career of the PM, not in the life of all Thais.
As the exceptionally contentious battle enters its last leg -- something must be done and some kind of result must be delivered as both the incumbent chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon and the acting one Pol Gen Thanee Somboonsap are due to retire at the end of this month, tomorrow to be exact -- all eyes are on PM Abhisit. Alas, the premier seems to be the one bearing the brunt of criticisms. Some people said he is too stubborn in pushing for the only choice of Gen Pateep Tanprasert without listening to other people's opinions. Others said the PM is naive to keep fighting for his one and only choice when he can't be sure of triumph. He has had to back down twice after all.
I think all these criticisms are off the mark, the pun unintended. PM Abhisit might be guilty of not bringing enough transparency into the appointment process but in my opinion he is still the only one who tries at all. Other people said to be involved in the process are all pushing their agenda in an enigmatic, hush-hush manner. Why? Because they are not supposed to do so. The choice is not theirs to make so they resort to conniving. When the PM stands his ground and proves to be his own man, they said the young boy was stubborn!
As the time draws near, it does seem that PM Abhisit's choice is limited. He is not over the hump regarding his preferred choice and he can't switch to endorse Pol Gen Chumphol Munmai this late in the game. Eventually, a face-saving measure may have to be put into place as a temporary way out of this messy dilemma, such as an appointment of another acting chief.
However it turns out, however imperfect the final solution to the police chief shenanigan may be, the blame should not fall on PM Abhisit. It is not the PM who fails us. It's the whole system that has failed him.

Read comment

Comment 1

wch

date : 29/09/2009 time : 12:00

I have observed for a time that Thai police is certainly a part of de-facto political power, to one who can control it, the organized detriment to another who wants them to stay apolitic. I don't know how such culture has been brewed. I can understand why PM AV wants his own hand-pick of a new police chief when reviewing the momentary situations he had encountered in Pattaya and in the compound of the ministry of interior. Especially the moment of his misery in the compound, I, as a foreigner having sane sensuousness of an average citizen, believe then and now, a police or police body guards must have shot off at least 5 bandits who wielded arms and smashed his car. I believe the PM needs the least dignity as a prime minister who represents this nation, not the power that the police may provide. I recall when Khun Thaksin was on tour in Isan region while his hand-picked Khun Samak sat at such clumsy chair of prime minister, 200 elite police companies was deployed around him. Also I recall the episode of Khun Chuwit (massage parlor guru turn politician who was seriously exploited by police general and his men) who came out and revealed: ''I was forced to pay regular protection fee to them." Khun Thaksin responded: ''Do you have evidence ? Such as a receipt, then sue the police.'' wch

Comment 2

Fred

date : 29/09/2009 time : 15:52

The problem is PM AV depends on the support of our local overlord Newin and his cronies. Only when living here you can see how far their power reaches. Shortly before the local elections raods were built everywhere using gravel from Newin quarries. The big trucks destroyed existing roads as new ones were built where rarely anybody ever goes. Newly tarred roads are broken up again by rain after days or weeks. And the money earned from the central government was largely distributed to buy votes: Free meat, Lao Khao, 500 Baht here and 2000 Baht there. AV seems to be Thailands only chance for a better future and real democracy but he needs a solid power base of educated people with at least some sense for civic duty in a democracy.

Comment 3

optimist date : 30/09/2009 time : 04:06

I don't understand what is wrong with the most senior policeman next in line to take the job. Certainly he must be qualified if he is this high up the ranks and with so many years experience. By just picking anyone they want to fill the position then what does this tell the police force now. You can work as hard as you want but unless you are on the right side at the right time you will go nowhere.

Comment 4

khunian

date : 30/09/2009 time : 05:39

Perhaps many of the police and politicians object to Gen. Pateep because as the Inspector General he presumably knows who is doing what in the corruption and scams that plague Thailand.

That is why it is important that the Prime Minister gets his man. Then they can start and clean up Thailand's act.

Comment 5

bernie castillo

date : 30/09/2009 time : 17:17

Khun Atiya,
Khun Mark can actually put his pick of the police chief right now. He has the votes. But what he is trying to do is give the others the time to switch sides so it will look unanimous. It is the newspapers with their agendas (read Red owners) who twist the news to get sympathy for their Pachawarat. police all over the world are mostly corrupt - yes, even in so-called 1st world. The only difference is the type of illegal business they are in....

Comment 6

jack

date : 01/10/2009 time : 04:01

C2, the most senior policeman should be a police chief? So what is the reason of the existance of the committee,if you are right? And that is the politically impossible choice as everyone knows. The author is right in that Abhisit is better than other premiers because,at least, he tried to maintain some degree of transparency, and I think keeping the process somehow transparent must be a kind of self-protective measure for the PM, given the current power balance of the government. One more thing, to appoint an acting Police chief as a compromise is not an Abhisit's unique idea. Thaksin appointed an acting chief and kept him in the post for 6 months.

Comment 7

wardje date : 01/10/2009 time : 04:11

I think comment 3 makes the most sense of all.
I think the PM knows what he is doing to fight the old establishment and corruption but he has to walk on eggs to achieve his goals.

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