Ex-top cop raps Prawit over appeal

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan may have overstepped the mark and could face an abuse of authority charge over his recent handling of police affairs, says former police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej.

The former chief was referring to the Police Commission meeting on Monday chaired by Gen Prawit, who also serves as Defence Minister, in which the police-governing body decided not to appeal against an Administrative Court ruling involving unfair treatment of a senior police officer.

This was a U-turn for the commission, which had decided on June 25 to appeal against the ruling demanding it provide career rehabilitation to Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Sriwara Rangsipramanakul after he was rejected for a promotion to the rank of lieutenant-general in 2010.

His promotion had been opposed by then national police chief Pol Gen Seripisuth, who claimed he did not qualify for the position due to an incorrect calculation of his years in service.

The men reportedly had a history of conflict.

The Administrative Court later ruled in favour of Pol Lt Gen Sriwara and ordered the Police Commission to provide him with a career rehabilitation scheme.

The June 25 meeting was chaired by national police chief Somyot Poompunmuang.

Pol Gen Seripisuth claims Pol Lt Gen Sriwara learned about the initial decision to appeal and lodged a petition with the deputy prime minister.

The former chief says Gen Prawit then pressured the Police Commission to meet on Monday, when it overturned its decision.

Pol Gen Seripisuth also claimed Gen Prawit was not authorised to chair the Police Commission and said any meetings he chaired were therefore illegitimate.

He cited an announcement by the National Council for Peace and Order issued on July 10 last year, which said the only individuals authorised to chair the commission were the prime minister or the national police chief.

Meanwhile, Pol Gen Somyot said yesterday the Police Commission had withdrawn its appeal, in accordance with the commission’s resolution on Monday.

He said the Administrative Court ruling would be discussed at the commission’s next meeting. A date for the meeting has yet to be set.