Army urges minister to file criminal charges
Published: 12/12/2009Bangkok Post
The army has recommended the Defence Ministry suspend Khattiya Sawasdipol, widely known as Seh Daeng.
The minister should file criminal charges to be heard in a military court against the major general once he has been suspended, an army source said.
Maj Gen Khattiya was accused of travelling to Cambodia to see deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Nov 13 without seeking permission to take leave from the army.
He also allegedly made defamatory remarks about army chief Anupong Paojinda in an interview with the media.
Maj Gen Khattiya was also accused of political activity by leading former border rangers at a recent anti-government rally.
If found guilty, Maj Gen Khattiya would face jail, dismissal from army service and could possibly be stripped of his rank.
The army has sent a letter from two inquiry committees that have investigated Maj Gen Khattiya's alleged wrongdoings to Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.
The committees said Maj Gen Khattiya was guilty and recommended he face criminal charges in the military court, said Col Sansern. The source said the committees suggested criminal charges should be filed against Maj Gen Khattiya in the military court because he has repeated his alleged offences several times.
The source said Gen Anupong had appointed two committees to look into Maj Gen Khattiya's offences.
The first committee investigated Maj Gen Khattiya's interview for its alleged defamation of his superiors.
The second committee was assigned to look into the trip abroad he took without permission from supervisors.
But the army has no authority to file a criminal lawsuit against Maj Gen Khattiya. Only Gen Prawit has the authority to do so, Col Sansern said.
However, Panlop Pinmanee, a member of the opposition Puea Thai Party, said he has not seen Maj Gen Khattiya committing any offence.
"About former border rangers that joined the red shirt rally, I admitted that I have ordered Seh Daeng to look after them for fear that there could be a confrontation between the former border rangers and military troopers," said Gen Panlop.
He said he asked Maj Gen Khattiya to prevent a confrontation.
Gen Panlop said about 200 former border rangers voluntarily joined the red shirt rally because they deeply respected Puea Thai chairman Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.
More border rangers are expected to join red shirt rallies next year, he said.
Privy Councillor Gen Pichitr Kullavanijaya yesterday warned Thaksin to cease his political activities. Nobody could take anything with them after death, he said.
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