BANGKOK, 8 January 2015 – The National Legislative Assembly has resolved to accept the draft Freeman Safeguarding Medal law.
The NLA meeting on Thursday deliberated the draft Freeman Safeguarding Medal Act, which the Cabinet has presented for debate.
Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Udomdej Sitabutr informed the NLA that the proposed law has been drafted in such a way to offer moral support and recognize all individuals who have performed the duties of national defense, internal security and related affairs on the government’s order.
NLA members expressed concerns over the process to consider the recipients of the medal as they are worried the awarding could be exploited for personal gains — the move that can eventually devalue the decoration.
The meeting has suggested that criteria and procedures must be set to determine who will be eligible to be presented with the medal before votes have been cast. The NLA voted 176 to six, with 20 abstentions, to accept the draft and to appoint a 21-member special committee to review the law.
