Police bill passes 1st House hurdle

The bill promising to set in motion reform of the police force sailed through its first reading in the House of Representatives yesterday.

The Royal Thai Police bill was passed for second-reading scrutiny by a vote of 565 to two with three abstentions.

The vote followed a debate where MPs expressed scepticism about police reform which the bill, presented by the cabinet, champions.

Some lawmakers said the bill would do little to deter politicians from meddling particularly in high-ranking officer promotions.

During the debate yesterday, Akkaradet Wongpitakroj, Democrat MP for Ratchaburi, suggested the power to decide on police promotions, which rests ultimately with the national police chief, be…