Gen Prawit feeling stressed about his brother

BANGKOK, 1 August 2009 (NNT) – Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan is feeling stressed following the rumors that his brother will be sacked from the national police chief post, according to the minister’s secretary.

Secretary to the Defense Minister General Noppadon Inthapanya said he had not yet talked to General Prawit about the PM’s interview that Police Commissioner-General Patcharawat Wongsuwan will not be dismissed from the post, but was asked to take leave abroad. The secretary added that he did not want to comment on the PM’s interview as he was concerned that his words would be misinterpreted.

Police General Patcharavat was rumoured to face a possible dismissal after he was alleged of interfering with the investigation into the attempted murder case of media mogul and top leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy Sondhi Limthongkul. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said during a press conference on the case yesterday that the police chief would not be removed but he had been asked to take leave. There were reports that the police chief taking leave to pave way for new investigative panel to work on the case comfortably without fear of intervention.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the Office of the Civil Service Commission Preecha Watcharaphai said he was not concerned that the PM appointed him to chair a panel investigating Mr Sondhi’s case. He said the PM did not set a deadline for the investigation. Mr Preecha will call a meeting on 3 August to select the panel’s members and devise a framework of the investigation.