27-9-2023 (BANGKOK) Uncertainty loomed over the appointment of the new national police chief as the prime minister convened a meeting of the Police Commission to make the selection on Wednesday afternoon. Speculation suggested that the decision might be postponed following a high-profile search conducted at the residence of one of the four candidates.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin arrived at the Royal Thai Police Office (RTPO) at 1.30 pm to preside over the meeting of the Police Commission, which was tasked with selecting the 14th police chief. In accordance with the Royal Thai Police Act, the prime minister serves as the ex-officio chairman of the Police Commission.
Amid rainy conditions, Mr. Srettha reviewed an honor guard at the RTPO before entering to preside over the meeting. The gathering was originally scheduled to announce the successor to Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, who is set to retire on September 30.
However, there was speculation that the decision might be withdrawn from the meeting agenda and deferred until October, along with the appointment of deputy national police chiefs and commanders. It was suggested that some members of the Police Commission might propose delaying the appointment to resolve an issue involving one of the deputy national police chiefs, who happens to be one of the four contenders.
This situation emerged following a search of the residences occupied by deputy police chief Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, as part of a police investigation into online gambling websites. The raid on Pol Gen Surachate’s homes in Bangkok, conducted on Monday morning, was part of an operation codenamed “Big Cleaning Day,” which targeted 30 houses in Bangkok and five provinces, including Phetchaburi, Samut Prakan, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, and Saraburi.
