Pol Gen Patcharavat resigns as National Police Chief

BANGKOK, 9 September 2009 (NNT) – National Police Commissioner-General Police General Patcharavat Wongsuwan tendered his resignation following the Prime Minister’s order to transfer him to an inactive post at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Police General Patcharavat declared that he had submitted a letter of resignation to Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban after receiving an order for his transfer to an inactive post at the Prime Minister’s Office. However, he denied that his reason for resigning was the Prime Minister’s transfer order, clarifying that he merely wished to take a rest before his retirement approached on 30 September. No details were yet given as to when his resignation would come into effect.

Meanwhile, Police General Patcharavat’s deputy, Police General Thanee Somboonsap, was appointed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as the acting police chief.

Earlier on 7 September, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) filed charges against Police General Patcharavat due to his involvement in the violent police crackdown on demonstrators of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on 7 October last year. In addition, the NACC also pressed charges against former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, former Deputy Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Police General Suchart Muankaew.