Royal Thai Police delay decision on new National Police Chief

BANGKOK, Aug 20 (TNA) – The Board of Royal Thai Police on Thursday delayed its decision to select a new national police chief to replace Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan who is scheduled to retire on October 1 according to the policy of compulsory retirement at age 60.

The 11-member Board of Royal Thai Police chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva met at Government House to select a suitable person for the new police chief on Thursday.

Pol Gen Suthep Thammarak, a member of the Board of Royal Thai Police, told reporters after a one-hour meeting that the board could not come to agreement to select an appointee for the position.

He said even though the prime minister is authorised to nominate a candidate, there were nine persons qualified for the top job. Therefore, the board needed further information and statements of their vision for the job from all candidates.

The nine officers qualified for nomination in order of seniority were Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong, Pol Gen Patheep Tanprasert, Pol Gen Wongkot Maneerin, Pol Gen Chumpol Manmai, Pol Gen Jongrak Juthanond, Pol Gen Wacharapol Prasarnratchakij, Pol Gen Wichien Pojphosri, Pol Gen Chalor Chuwong and Pol Gen Pansiri Prapawat.

Asked whether the delay was a conflict between the police and the prime minister, Gen Suthep denied there was any discord, but explained that the Board wanted to get full information on the qualifications before making any decision.

He added that next meeting of the Board for selecting the new police chief had yet to be set as it would depend on the prime minister’s schedule. (TNA)