Breathtaking fall for police 'mafia'

Never could I imagine that the police mafia, having almost the whole force in their hands, could be shattered in such earth-shaking style. Their despicable deeds were commonly suspected and known for years, and yet no past government or police director-general had the courage to break this taboo.

The effect of the actions of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and national police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang is far-reaching. If this unprecedented wake-up call is followed through in all government departments, those in authority should learn that corruption does not pay. The sight of former police officers reduced within 11 days to the status of accused is a reminder to other corrupt officers that the same could happen to them. This is a great opportunity for the Anti-Corruption Movement to widen the message.

This masterstroke of wiping the venomous practices right from the top is a trophy and a hindrance to those NCPO opponents to call for the regime’s quick exit. On the same page, coincidentally, there was a report of Khun Anand Panyarachun calling for sincerity to fight graft. Well, that sincerity has been shown in this case and it is the next move of NCPO we are all waiting for.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok