Chalerm defends his son's military reinstatement

Photo by Prasert Thepsri

Chalerm however refused to comment whether the ceremony was a privilege accorded to the son of a Cabinet member.

He was speaking at a press conference at the Interior Ministry in a bid to quell the controversy surrounding Duang resuming the military service.

He said it happened under the prescribed procedures and did not side stepped any rules.

"I want to comment on the issue for the last time, so listen carefully," he said.

The Secretariat of the Defence Minister directly handled the reinstatement because Duang was stripped of his rank seven years ago by a ministerial order issued in connection with his alleged involvement in a murder, he said.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej issued a direct order for Duang to resume the military service, hence bypassing the normal military channel through the Armed Forces Security Centre, where Duang was commissioned, and the Supreme Command, he said.

He insisted his son was stripped of his rank within five days after the murder case broke in 2001.

"My son did not desert his duty and he is entitled for reinstatement after winning an acquittal - he is innocent," he said.

The Nation