Nepotism

I'm at a loss for words for this one, so I will simply let the reports speak for themselves.

Bangkok Post:

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said on Tuesday he has signed permission for Duang Yubamrung to return to the army, less than seven years after he was cashiered over accusations he was involved in the night club murder of a policeman.

"I do not know which office he will return to, but I already signed the approval," Mr Samak told reporters Tuesday. "It is effective now."

Duang, formerly known as Duangchalerm, is the son of Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung. He was dismissed from the army in October, 2001, after the murder of a policeman inside a Ratchadaphisek night club.

He was removed from his post and stripped of his rank after he failed to report for work within 15 days.

He fled to Malaysia to avoid murder charges. After almost a year on the run, he surrendered for trial. He was acquitted of the murder charge by the Criminal Court.

After his acquital, police did not seek another suspect, and there have been no other arrests. Several witnesses who testified said they had received threatening telephone calls to warn them not to tell what they had seen, and no direct testimony ever was admitted.

"He was a soldier. Now his (criminal) case is over so there is no problem for him to return to the army," Mr Samak said.

Duang's brother Wan, previously known as Wanchalerm, also got permission from Mr Samak to take a posotion in the new government, where his father is a minister. Public Health Minister Chaiya Saosomsab promoted him to be Mr Happy Toilet, to teach Bangkokians how to use the loo.

Together, during the 1990s, the Yubamrung brothers were well known to, and openly reviled by Bangkok society for a series of violent confrontations in night clubs. Cases brought to trial always wound up with lack of witnesses.

And from The Nation:

Supatra Rodwimut, wife of murdered Sergeant Suwichai Rodwimut, said she was shocked. "I have no words to describe how I feel. I'm just an ordinary woman. I have no power to fight. I hope one day the sin he committed will catch up with him."

Supreme Commander General Boonsrang Niampradit declined to comment, saying he has yet to be informed.

There is more about the history of the saga here (H/T Bangkok Pundit).