Thread: Post-Pitak Siam rally: Seh Ai resigns, lawsuits and blame

Chalerm vows to look into Nov 24 crackdown - The Nation

Chalerm vows to look into Nov 24 crackdown

January 11, 2013 6:26 pm

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said Friday that he would demand an explanation from the police about the violent clashes with protesters in November. He made this promise after watching video clips of police firing teargas at the protesting Pitak Siam group on November 24 and of police arresting a television cameraman.

The clips were shot by reporters, who played them when Chalerm testified in front of a House subcommittee in charge of finding facts about the November 24 crackdown.

Chalerm, looking serious after watching the clips, said he had instructed police to not use force against the protesters. He also requested a copy of the clipS so he can play them while demanding an explanation.

The deputy PM was summoned by the subcommittee to testify on the crackdown because his duties put him in charge of the Royal Thai Police.

Chalerm explained that he was not in charge of operations on the day in question because he was not the director of the operation centre, which was set up under the Internal Security Act. However, he said, he could not deny his responsibility as deputy prime minister in charge of police.

The Nation