Police to stop bringing suspects to press meets
THE Royal Thai Police will comply with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s order not to bring criminal suspects to their press conferences as the practice is in breach of human rights, police spokesman Pol General Dejnarong Sutthicharn-bancha said yesterda
He said he had not yet seen the official order but personally agreed with it and believed it would not adversely affect police work.
Justice Ministry deputy permanent secretary Thawatchai Thaikiew said that Prayut issued the order after the ministry presented him a weekly human rights violation report dated August 3 that bringing suspects to press conferences has negative consequences for them. Whether they are finally acquitted of all charges and freed or they are convicted, they would have difficulties adjusting back in society because of the stigma.
The PM’s order requires the Royal Thai Police to issue directives to all police across the country not to bring suspects to press conferences, Thawatchai said, adding the police can only announce achievements.
Thawatchai said the suspects exposed during press conferences face adverse consequences because society may not accept them back and this could force them into committing more crimes.
A senior police source said the police always respect human rights and law. Before calling a press conference, police give papers for the suspects to sign their consent to be present at a press conference. The police would not bring the suspects to any press conference without their consent, he said.
Backing the previous practice, the source said, “On the contrary, showing faces of suspects is part of a warning for society to be vigilant of criminal elements.”
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