Thai military order issued against influential criminals

BANGKOK, April 8 (TNA) - A recent order issued by the Thai army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) was aimed at speeding up prosecution against influential criminals, including drug traffickers. Thai Government Spokesman Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd told journalists of the decision on April 7, reiterating that last week's NCPO order was aimed to protect the innocent, as influential criminals could easily escape and harm law enforcement officers. The spokesman noted, however, that the power of rulings by Thai courts on arrested influential figures remains intact. The government spokesman's remarks were in response to Spokeswoman of the US Department of State for East Asian Affairs Katina Adams, who expressed concerns over the NCPO order to give police powers to military officers. The spokesman urged the US spokeswoman to study the NCPO order carefully. (TNA)