Suspects can smoke or apply makeup while in police custody: public prosecutor
Criminal suspects have the right to smoke cigarettes or apply facial makeups while in police custody, but the Thai public in general are not familiar with such practice, said Mr Paramet Intharachumnum, a deputy director-general of the Attorney-General’s Office, on Monday.
Mr Paramet’s remark was in response of widespread criticism in the social media against the conduct of one of the three female suspects, Ms Preeyanut Nonewangchai, who was seen in newspapers and on TV with make-up face by the side of a policeman in Chiang Rai and the other suspects were seen smoking cigarettes.
Mr Paramet said that it was normal that police did not handcuff some suspects if they did not show any sign that they would escape while the other suspects were handcuffed.
By allowing some suspects to enjoy some rights while in police custody can help the suspects feel relaxed, he said.
Because of the different approaches in treating the suspects by the police such as one suspect was handcuffed while the others were not, he noted that the public was confused regarding the standard practice.
But he said that it was improper for police being photographed next to a smiling suspect and such image appeared on the TV on in newspapers.
Suspects can smoke or apply makeup while in police custody: public prosecutor - Thai PBS English News