OAG decision puts focus on its lamentable record
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Re: Yingluck gets some respite in rice case, Politics, September 5, 2014.
The National Council for Peace and Order and the Prayuth Chan-ocha government should look into the conduct of the Office of the Attorney General, in its decision not to proceed with the indictment of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for wrongful conduct in the rice scheme.
In looks like the OAG has acted rashly.
Thailand should look at the US for an example on how the government should formulate an equitable justice system.
In the US, the Attorney General is also the head of the Department of Justice, and thus is a member of the Cabinet.
The US Attorney General is nominated by the president, and confirmed by the Senate. He or she is also subject to impeachment by the House of Representatives, and a trial in the Senate for treason, bribery, or other crimes and misdemeanours.
Here in Thailand, the OAG’s duty and power are not clearly defined. Oftentimes, this agency is seen as unnecessarily overusing its powers – without anybody being able to check it.
This is one reason why our judicial system is mired and in deep trouble.
Vint Chavala
Bangkok
