Tharit vows honest probe into anti-monarchy chart
Department of Special Investigation chief Tharit Pengdit has rejected an accusation that the agency is serving the government's interests and vowed to carry out any inquiries in an honest and straightforward manner.
- Published: 7/01/2012 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: crimes
Mr Tharit's comments came after former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban lashed out at the DSI over its investigation into an alleged anti-monarchy movement.
The DSI plans to summon Mr Suthep about a diagram of a network which allegedly wants to overthrow the monarchy, drawn up by the now-defunct Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) and distributed to the media on April 26 2010.
The document names about 45 pro-republican people, political parties and media outlets.
Mr Suthep, who chaired the CRES, said the DSI's latest plan showed the agency had no backbone. He said it was the DSI itself that had collected evidence about alleged plots to overthrow the monarchy and reported this to the CRES.
Mr Tharit denied the DSI was involved in making the graphic, insisting it had received it from other security agencies, mainly the military.
He said Mr Suthep was once his superior at the DSI so he was willing to listen to criticism, however he insisted the final decision on whether to pursue the case rests with him.
"As chief of the investigators handling the case, I will ensure the inquiry is straightforward and in line with the law," Mr Tharit said.
About the author
- Writer: King-oua Laohong
- Position: Reporter