ID :
143235
Wed, 09/22/2010 - 18:20
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/143235
The shortlink copeid
Somkid sacrifices senior police post to defuse Thai-Saudi tension
BANGKOK, Sept 22 -- Embattled Pol Lt Gen Somkid Boonthanom on Wednesday announced his decision to give up the high-level position of assistant national police chief to cool down tensions between Thailand and Saudi Arabia.
Standing firm that the decision was not made under pressure, he said in a press conference that he did not want the appointment to affect the more than 13,000 Thai-Muslim pilgrims applying for visas to Mecca. He believed his decision would ease tension between the two countries.
He also urged Saudi Charge d'Affaires Nabil Hussein Ashri to ask for progress in the unsolved case of Saudi businessman Mohammed al-Ruwaili who disappeared in Bangkok 20 years ago. The Saudi authorities have raised concerns over Gen Somkid's alleged involvement in the case which ended in 1993.
Gen Somkid who has two more years in police service claimed that some unscrupulous people had produced false evidence to revive the case.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep said the Police Committee meeting this Friday will resolve the appointment of a new assistant police chief and that the police reshuffle list can be revised despite the fact that it has already been submitted to the PM's Secretariat. (MCOT online news)
Standing firm that the decision was not made under pressure, he said in a press conference that he did not want the appointment to affect the more than 13,000 Thai-Muslim pilgrims applying for visas to Mecca. He believed his decision would ease tension between the two countries.
He also urged Saudi Charge d'Affaires Nabil Hussein Ashri to ask for progress in the unsolved case of Saudi businessman Mohammed al-Ruwaili who disappeared in Bangkok 20 years ago. The Saudi authorities have raised concerns over Gen Somkid's alleged involvement in the case which ended in 1993.
Gen Somkid who has two more years in police service claimed that some unscrupulous people had produced false evidence to revive the case.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep said the Police Committee meeting this Friday will resolve the appointment of a new assistant police chief and that the police reshuffle list can be revised despite the fact that it has already been submitted to the PM's Secretariat. (MCOT online news)
