May his soul rest in peace
By Veera Prateepchaikul
Having cheated death serving in the country’s most dangerous zone, the three Muslim-predominated southernmost provinces, for more than 30 years, Pol Col Sompien Aeksomya deserved a less life-threatening job in order to be with his loved ones.
Unfortunately though, the late superintendent of Bannang Sata district police, did not have a chance to fulfil his long-cherished dream. Mother Luck was not with him when on March 12 while traveling on a pick-up truck on a routine visit to a village, he was killed by an insurgent bomb. Three other policemen with him were all wounded and one of them, his driver, died a few days later.
Would he be still alive today, had he been transferred out of the violence-prone region as he had requested? His widow, Mrs Pimchana Puvapongpitak, at least, believes that her late husband would not have lost his life had he been actually transferred.
Pol Col Sompien had asked to be transferred to Kantang district of Trang police and his request had reportedly been endorsed by the 9th Provincial Police Bureau with his name included in the transfer. But somehow his name was inexplicably deleted from the list when it reached the Royal Thai Police Office in Bangkok. An informed source said that a Democrat politician was responsible for deleting his name from the list in favour of another officer as about a dozen officers had also eyed for the same position as Kantang district’s superintendent.
Deeply upset for being stuck in the same position in Bannag Sata district with the grim prospect of spending the next 20 months before his retirement in his home province, Pol Col Sompien decided to complain about the injustice against him to the Government House on February 23. A panel headed by Pol Gen Vasit Dejkunchorn, retired deputy police chief, was set up to investigate the alleged selling of police positions.
Meanwhile, it was reported that a new position as the deputy commander of Kantang police was to be created specially for Pol Col Sompien pending the approval of the Police Service Commission at its forthcoming meeting. That was from the mouth of the police spokesman, Pol Lt-Gen Pongsapat Pongsathorn.
But since the embittered police colonel was already dead, it is pointless now for the Police Service Commissioni to consider the special position to be create for him.
The posthumous promotion reportedly as a full police general and decorations for Pol Col Sompien still being considered by the Royal Thai Police Office will by no means compensate his family for their grief and great loss. This was clearly reflected in Mrs Pimchana’s recent remarks to the media.
“I am very disappointed with the Royal Thai Police Office because my husband wasa working man, strong and he did not ask for anything (in return). He traveled (To the Government House) to complain about injustice because he was so exhausted.
“As a matter of fact, Superintendent Sompien would have been 60 in November. He was just an old man who had wanted to be with his family at the end of his life,” said Mrs Pimchana.
The late colonel’s widow also said she did not want the Royal Thai Police Office to treat rural police officers as if they were children of a minor wife, but should treat them in the same manner that officers attached to the head office are treated.
Whether her wish will be positively responded by the police generals in Bangkok remains a big question mark in light of the widespread corruption in the police force whereby a “good” police position is not meant for an officer with outstanding performance record but is meant for any officer who can afford the highest bidding price for the post.
It also remains to be seen whether Gen Vasit’s panel will be able to hold anyone accountable for denying Pol Col Sompien the post he deserved and rendering him getting stuck in the same position until his recent sudden death by an insurgent bomb.
Despite the injustice and the misfortunes, Pol Col Sompien was model police officer who had selflessly dedicated his life for the well being of the people in the three southernmost provinces. His sacrifice will always be remembered and his departure will be missed by his family, his subordinates, his friends and the people in the trouble-plagued region alike.
May his restless soul rest in eternal peace!