Has PM been misled on police reform? It’s overdue

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016
Has PM been misled on police reform? It’s overdue

Re: “Police apologise to parents of accident victim”, National, yesterday.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was quoted as saying it was his policy to bridge social disparities and to ensure that the case of Thanapat Horsaengchai and Krissana Thaworn, who died in an accident when their car was hit by a speeding Mercedes-Benz last week, would be handled in a straightforward and justified manner.
Deputy National Police chief General Pongsapat Pongcharoen also apologised to the relatives for the “mistake” made by investigating police in failing to perform a test for alcohol or drugs on the Benz driver on the spot.
How many times do we have to hear our leaders say they are sorry for this and for that, so long as police reform is still not being seriously paid attention to?
Prayut should realise that he is being misled by his own people – that police reform is being done – while absolutely nothing is in progress.
There is talk all over the country that some people close to Prayut are not serious about police reform.
Instead, they want to use the police force as their own power-base once the PM steps down from the premiership. Hence the delay.
Seriously speaking, shouldn’t Prayut delve into this allegation?
Vint Chavala