Tension keeps rising over Somkid's promotion

Shortly after Suthep implied that the Saudi Arabian Embassy was rushing to judgement regarding the promotion of Lt-General Somkid Boonthanom to assistant police chief, the embassy issued another statement to stand its ground.

Suthep had said the government will send a memorandum to Saudi Arabia clarifying issues surrounding the promotion. "I am preparing the translation of all legal provisions and police service procedures in order to explain [the circumstances] to Saudi Arabia within this week," he said.

After the Police Commission decided to promote Lt-General Somkid Boonthanom of Provincial Police Region 5, Suthep said he had a |meeting last week with Saudi Charge D'Affaires Nabil Hussein Ashri.

He said he had outlined pertinent issues - and was puzzled by the Saudi government rushing to criticise Thailand before he could send a promised translated copy of legal provisions to back up his arguments.

"What I can say for certain is the government has not interfered with the judicial proceedings related to the missing Saudi businessman, nor the police service procedures on the promotion," he said.

He said Somkid was entitled to a promotion review just like other police officers, who have not been caught up in legal or disciplinary proceedings.

In the police investigation into missing businessman Mahammad Al-Ruwaili, all charges against Somkid were dropped and the subsequent disciplinary proceedings cleared his name, Suthep said.

Furthermore, Somkid's records for criminal and disciplinary probes had been expunged, he said, explaining the police service was obligated to not harbour prejudice on job assignments.

As one of the candidates to fill 11 vacant seats, Somkid was in the top three in terms of seniority, which accounted for 33 per cent of factors for promotion, Suthep said.

Although the Department of Special Investigation cited fresh evidence to reopen the case, the litigation involving Somkid had yet to unfold and it was not a factor to block his promotion.

He said the Saudi authorities had misinterpreted a police provision, Article 95 of the Police Act, by arguing that Somkid should have been suspended from duty when facing charges raised by the DSI.

Police officers were not liable to face disciplinary action for charges initiated by an outside agency.

The Pheu Thai Party plans to conduct a hearing on Somkid's promotion via the House committee on foreign affairs since the issue might have an impact on Thai-Saudi relations, party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said.

Prompong said the opposition party might invite the Saudi charge d'affaires to give his views.He said he suspected the government had bent the rules in order to promote Somkid because any officer facing a criminal trial should be suspended from the job instead of being promoted.

The embassy's statement issued late Sunday insisted that Somkid should not have been promoted.

"The Embassy reiterates - as stated in its above referenced statement, and in adherence to the firm principles of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Foreign Policy of non-interference, that it has not in anyway concerned in the current political situation in the Kingdom of Thailand, or intends to interfere in domestic affairs, noting that its above mentioned statement has specifically addressed issues solely pertaining to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while exercising uttermost cautious and courteous approach to the sensitive current political situation in the Kingdom of Thailand," the statement said.

" The Embassy notes that its objections and concerns expressed in its above mentioned statement, are based on the fact that the subject in question is an issue that directly concerns the 3 pending and unsolved cases of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Thailand for more than 20 years; namely the case of the theft of Jewelry from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by a Thai worker, and the subsequent embezzlement cases of the Jewelry, the assassination of Saudi Diplomats officially posted in Thailand, and finally the disappearance and murder of the Saudi Businessman Mohamad al-Ruwaili, which have resulted in the downgrading of bilateral relations at all levels."

The statement said that, for more than 20 years, Saudi Arabia "for its part has shown understanding, patience, and extended all means of cooperation at hand to aid the relevant Thai authorities in their investigations".

The statement also cited Prime Minister ABhisit Vejjajiva's policy statement promising efficient, transparent and fair judicial process for all.

The statement praised "the first positive advancement and progress for more than 20 years - achieved by the current Democrat led government with regard to the pending three cases". Such progress, it said, should pave the way for fully restoring bilateral relations.

"In this respect, the Embassy - and as previously mentioned in past statements issued by its powers - wishes to state that it has not come to a conclusion in any of the three pending cases, nor has it regarded any person(s) as guilty of or responsible for carrying out any of the known crimes in subject. It is a matter entirely up to the Thai Justice and courts to prove and carry out the necessary procedures in accordance with prevalent laws and regulations. The Embassy does however; state that it has noticed that article (95) of the National Police Act stipulates regulations regarding the promotion of the person charged by Thai legal authorities in the case of Mr. al-Ruwaili.

"Therefore the Embassy has

1. merely expressed its astonishment concerning conclusive remarks by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban regarding the pending case of Mr. Al-Ruwaili, that one of the five defendants (named by the OAG) in this case, Pol. Lt. Gen. Somkid Boonthanom Commissioner of Provincial Police of Region (5) had been cleared of any wrongdoing and therefore had been serving on duty and has been promoted. To our knowledge it had been decided by Thai legal and judicial authorities to prosecute the defendants for the disappearance and murder - among other charges - of Mr. al-Ruwaili, the trial for which is set to begin on 25th November 2010.

2. expressed its concerns that ...while not implicating any crime on Pol. Lt. Gen Somkid as clearly stated above, any Committee/body/authority considering him innocent or guilty in this case would directly conflict with the fact Mr Somkid is a defendant in this case but not yet tried by the Thai Courts."

The statement said the embassy still wishes to see the pending Saudi cases solved and "wishes the Thai authorities success in achieving their goal in order to fully restore Diplomatic relations and resume cooperation at all levels."