As the EC spokesman, he was in the spotlight discussing electoral issues and matters related to the commission.

Police Maj-General Ekachai Warunprapa, 59, graduated from Thammasat University's Faculty of Law in 1971. He earned a master's in public affairs from a university in the United States and a 'mini' master's in education from Chulalongkorn University in 1987.

His last position before becoming EC secretary-general was deputy commissioner attached to the Royal Thai Police headquarters.

His route to the EC was different from the first secretary-general. Initially, the post was open to all candidates, and eight qualified. These included a former deputy ministerial permanent secretary, former governors, a deputy rector of a university and a deputy secretary-general to the Cabinet. The winner was Sub-Lieutenant Wijit Yusuparp.

Ekachai's arrival in 2003 came after an invitation from EC commissioner Charupat Ruangsuwan. Charupat asked Ekachai, a supporter of former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, to apply for the position while Wijit was filing documents indicating he wanted to stay on for a second term.

Four of the five EC commissioners chose Ekachai for the job.

EC staff members have different attitudes towards Ekachai, who has an active, outgoing personality. During his first three months in office, he asked EC staff members to brief him about what they did as an introduction. After that, he managed his work effectively, according to some staff members who asked not to be named.

However, other staff members said Ekachai never hid his temper and had angrily rejected work by his subordinates, no matter how good they might have thought it was. Understandably, perhaps, staff attitudes towards the secretary-general appeared to be split.

Some personnel tried to please Ekachai, and would only try to see him when he was in a good mood. Others just tried to do their work and accept Ekachai's complaints if their work didn't please him, the staff said.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation