Suthep names Prachatai as website subversive to the monarchy

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told police that their priority was to protect the monarchy, while Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban raised Prachatai as an example of a subversive website to be tackled.

In a 26 Dec Thai Post report, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, as Chair of the National Police Policy Commission, presented his policy to 337 police commanders from across the country at the Police Club on 25 Dec.

According to Abhisit, the first priority for the police is to protect and uphold the monarchy.  In the past few years, the monarchy has been dragged into political conflicts by certain groups of people.  This is a delicate issue where the authorities find it uneasy to work.  The piling up of cases will be used by political groups as a pretext to implicate the monarchy.  A special committee has been set up to screen these cases.  And the PM will press the committee to prescribe criteria for cases related to the monarchy.

He insisted that his government’s policy was to have the law enforced equally and straightforwardly on political conflicts.  He could not say that the government was neutral in every issue, because no one is neutral in competitive politics.  However, he distinguished his political stance from his role in executive authority.  He could not agree with all political groups, but he had to ensure that those who might or might not agree with him, or with whom he might or might not agree, must be treated equally.

‘During the past year, I have told the Acting Police Chief to work in a straightforward manner, not favouring or hindering anybody.  Do not hesitate in cases where the offence is obvious.  The red shirts have complained that the cases from April were handled very quickly.  That’s because there was clear evidence in media reports.  For the PAD, I’ve given instructions that obvious cases must be expedited.  Alleged double standards are now being used to instigate political unrest.  I insist that I don’t want to see double standards.  The police must prove that they don’t have double standards.  And I will not interfere.  But, if there’s any problem or hurdle, just tell me.  I’ll solve it,’ the PM said.

Acting Police Chief Pol Gen Patheep Tanprasert told the police commanders that the urgent task for the police was to provide security for His Majesty the King and the Royal Family.  There is no room for any mistakes.  All cases which concern national security must proceed quickly.  He had ordered that each case must be overseen by a deputy commander.  Several cases took 3-5 months before being forwarded to the National Police Bureau.  So he urged them to hurry to get the cases finished in 1-2 months.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, as Chair of the Police Commission, said that in addition to providing security, the police have the duty of protecting the monarchy.  They had to prosecute those who commit offences.  Several websites, including, for example, Prachatai, had spread rumours about His Majesty’s illness, and incited people against the institution.

The commanders should teach their subordinates to be grateful to the monarchy, and the police and their families must recognize this, Suthep said.

Source: 
<p>http://www.thaipost.net/news/261209/15543</p>

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