Soldiers last night were granted sweeping authority to conduct warrantless searches of homes, seize assets and detain civilians without charge.
On the order of junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, a wide range of powers usually reserved for civilian police were bestowed to members of the military Tuesday night, ostensibly to carry out the junta’s policy of rooting out underworld influences and unduly “influential people” in the economy and society.
Under the order, soldiers appointed by the junta have powers equal to police for crime suppression. Soldiers from the rank of sub-lieutenant and up are heretofore named “suppression officers,” while their subordinates will assist them.
Prayuth’s order, issued under the absolute power his junta wrote for itself under Article 44 of its interim constitution, went into immediate effect.
Soldiers can now search individuals and take their property without any judicial review, so long as the soldier suspects involvement in a crime.
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