Police morale affected by indictment: Patcharawat

Police Commissioner General Patcharawat Wongsuwan said the charges by the National Anti-Corruption Commission would negatively affect the morale of police officers in performing their duty.

However, he added he was not angry at the NACC because its decision was part of the process of law.

Patcharawat said his deputy, General Viroj Pahonvej, who is one of the seven people charged by the NACC, was collecting evidence to defend the police involvement in the crackdown on protesters. He insisted police on that day performed their duty in line with orders written by their supervisors and that police did not use violence with the protesters.

Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and former deputy premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh were also found by the NACC to be responsible for the police crackdown on protesters.

On October 7 last year, protesters affiliated with the People's Alliance for Democracy blocked entry to Parliament, where Somchai was to deliver his government's policy statement. Two protesters were killed and many other people, including police officers, were injured in the incident.

Chavalit insisted yesterday he had nothing to do with the crackdown as he had resigned as deputy prime minister, according to his aide Lt General Chawengsak Thongsaluay.

Chawengsak said Chavalit had no involvement in supervising the crackdown, directly or indirectly. He said Chavalit had explained himself to the NACC team investigating the matter.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday the government had not interfered with the NACC investigation and that it would not protect any implicated police officers.

"I have no duty to protect anyone in particular. I abide by the law," he said, adding that the NACC would bring the case to court.

Patcharawat is younger brother to Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan.