Activist seeks probe into premier’s hires

Prolific petitioner Ruangkrai Leekitwattana petitions the Election Commission (EC) to investigate Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's ethical conduct. (File photo)
Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a prominent petitioner, asks the Election Commission (EC ) to look into Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s moral behavior. ( File photo )

Following her appointment of Somsak Thepsutin as public health minister and Pol Col Tawee Sodsong as justice minister, political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has urged the Election Commission (EC ) to investigate Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s ethical behavior.

He claims that Thaksin Shinawatra received permissions while he was being held at the Police General Hospital.

In his plea to the EC, Mr. Ruangkrai claimed that these visits may offend Article 8 of the Constitution and Article 16 of the social norms, which could result in the termination of all three supervisory positions under Sections 170 and 160.

The National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC ) released a report on July 30 that raised concerns about preferential treatment for prisoners, particularly former prime minister Thaksin.

The report highlighted ambiguous rules that permit individuals who require medical care to remain outside of jail without proper investigations.

According to the NHRC document, this rules, issued on Sept 25, 2020, was signed by Mr Somsak, the Justice Minister at that time, with the acceptance of a changes commission.

The NHRC expressed worry that the rules may have caused a power imbalance because corrections officials only need to obtain their own approval from the changes director, who is then required to report to the justice secretary or the agency’s continuous minister.

According to the report, this flaw allowed Thaksin to prolong his stay outside of prison for health care beyond the original 120 days, from December 22 to February 18.

Justice ministers may be held responsible for this problem, according to the NHRC.

Mr. Ruangkrai argued that Mr. Somsak and Pol Col Tawee are in charge of the situation, with the latter providing as Justice Minister at the time of Thaksin’s arrest.

Despite this, both gentlemen were just reappointed to supervisory opportunities by Ms Paetongtarn, who, according to Mr Ruangkrai, should have been informed of the NHRC’s results.

In consequence, Mr. Ruangkrai requested that the EC take the case before the Constitutional Court for additional analysis under Part 170.

Mr. Ruangkrai has recently brought charges against the prime minister for allegedly violating moral standards, including her poor departure from private companies before taking office.