Bangkok: “Phumtham” does not interfere after “Anutin” urges DSI to arrest “Natthaphon” in the Klongchan Cooperative money laundering case, insists on adhering to the process, says they sat together yesterday and did not see this matter discussed, denies being seen as retaliation for the case of collusion in selecting senators.
Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, as the supervisor of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), spoke about the case in which Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, urged the DSI to arrest Mr. Nattaporn Toprayoon, former advisor to the Ombudsman, one of the accused in the money laundering case of the land sale of Mr. Supachai Srisupa-aksorn, former chairman of the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative, for 477 million baht, whose arrest warrant will expire on June 15, saying that the DSI must proceed according to the process, and yesterday, Mr. Anutin and I were sitting together, and we did not discuss this matter.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Anutin stated that if the DSI has insufficient forces, they will use the administrative forces to support it, which may be seen as a political retaliatory connection from the case of collusion in the selection of senators or not, Mr. Phumtham stated that many parties who said it was thinking too fast have not reached that stage yet because yesterday (27 May) they were still talking well, which is a matter for the DSI. He has a duty to supervise and cannot go in and give orders. He asked the DSI to do its duty. If it reaches the stage where it has to report to him, the DSI will come and report.
Mr. Phumtham also emphasized that the DSI’s working process has a clear commander, but if he hears that there are concerns, he will listen to them so that the DSI can consider them. He does not interfere and allows the DSI to work to its full potential. As for whether those involved are comfortable or not, that is up to them. He will not be involved because he is in charge of policy.