Police parading of suspects to press banned after high-profile controversies

Following the killing and dismemberment of a karaoke bar girl in Khon Kaen early this month, police took three female suspects into custody. The main talking point, however, was the selfies the suspects took with police and the national police chief’s apparent defence of them for surrendering voluntarily rather than being arrested.
The latest controversial incident was the arrest of Wattana Pummares, 61, who had been wanted for a series of bomb attacks in Bangkok. Wattana was allowed to use a microphone to answer reporters’ questions at a press conference on Wednesday, in the presence of the national police chief and other senior officers involved in his arrest.
The suspect condemned the 2014 coup and its leaders, saying his crimes were a show of frustration over the generals who staged the coup and took government positions. 
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who staged the coup and had previously remained silent over Wattana’s remarks, said during an anti-drug event yesterday that suspects must not be presented and allowed to speak at press conferences. If they wanted to speak, they could do it in court, he said.
“Presenting suspects in a press conference must not be done. Photos [of them] are enough,” he said. 
“I understand that the media wishes to get information and news, but sometimes it has negative results,” he added, while |not referring to any particular press |conference.
Deputy permanent secretary for |justice Tawatchai Thaikiew said the |premier had recommended since last year against parading suspects in press conferences because it violates basic human rights.
He quoted Prayut as saying that if suspects did not commit the crime or if they had served a jail term and were released, they would not be able to live their lives in public again.
Meanwhile, Pol General Chakthip issued a ban on the presentation of criminal suspects at press conferences, saying they would no longer be allowed to talk to the press.
He also ordered that officers dealing with suspects detained in custody should not behave in any way that might suggest they are friendly with them. Chakthip said the order resulted from the police’s handling of three female suspects.
Such behaviour risks sending the wrong signals and could hamper police in their duties, Chaktip said, citing recent instances that negatively affected the image of police.
Police are now banned from taking photos or videos of themselves or each other with suspects other than during the collection of evidence. The orders apply to all ranks, and any officers violating the directive face administrative and disciplinary punishment.
Chakthip, who was present at Wattana’s press conference, was criticised for appearing to be very close to Wattana. Photos of Wattana whispering with Chakthip were published in the media along with his criticism of Prayut.