Q: Out of all the senior police officers why were you chosen to replace Pol Gen Kowit Wattana?

A: I think the Prime Minister probably looked at seniority and past achievements - although I never new the PM before.

Q: Did you hear anything about this earlier, any news?

A: There was no overture, but I did hear news from the media discussing who would step up as a replacement if the national police chief was ousted.

Q: Do you think your image of being a tough, serious, and decisive officer helped you to stand out from the rest?

A: Throughout my career in the civil service, I didn't just wait for supervisors' orders. I would do whatever I regarded as my duty. So taking this post, I'm telling you frankly that I will perform my duties to the fullest of my ability, without waiting for the PM's orders. Whatever is not right, immoral, illegal including all crimes, gambling, drug abuse and vices, we cannot ignore them and they must be dealt with and put into order.

Q: When you gave an interview to the media earlier yesterday, you seemed irritated about the image of the police saying it had deteriorated. Why?

A: I think the police appointments were probably inappropriate. And when they are inappropriate, they can't perform their duties well.

Q: Does it have anything to do with the leader of the organisation?

A: I'm a straight shooter, so pardon me, and this is not about the former police chief - but certainly, the whole operation was the action of the leader of the organisation.

Q: You've served as an advisor in the past, how do you feel about the police having been in 'neutral gear' status all the time?

A: I reckon it stems from past appointments that put the wrong men in the wrong job and were made by the abuse of authority. Even I myself did a lot of [crime] suppression last year and then was kept away. Many other posts of police commanders were inappropriate, so they could not do much and so we had the 'neutral gear' status.

Q: You have a little less than one year in this position, how will you go about solving problems?

A: There are many solutions, but I will meet and listen to the policy from the PM first. The initial solutions probably won't solve many problems because all police positions have already been occupied, so the manpower adjustment could be carried out only to a small degree. Afterwards, I'd report to the PM again to deal with all the larger challenges. 

Q: Your comment in yesterday's interview that 'neutral gear' police officers should be cautioned, what do you mean by that?

A: We are police officers with a duty to put society in order and create a peaceful state. This year is His Majesty the King's 80th birthday anniversary, and everyone is campaigning to do good deeds to honour His Majesty. Being police officers, it's impossible for you to just sit still, doing nothing and letting society become plagued with problems, you must perform your duties to the best and those who do not, I guarantee, will surely face problems.

Q: Three or four high-profile cases including the arson attacks against many schools in northern and northeastern provinces, the criminal cases that might involve people from the previous government, the Bangkok bombings on New Year's Eve, and the bomb attack against Daily News paper. Looking at from the outside, what are the chances to investigate and bring the culprits to justice?

A: Everything can be done but it depends on a time frame. The Bangkok bombings, the bomb attack against Daily News, and school arsons in many provinces and even the southern violence can be solved. But I need time. Today [Tuesday], I'll hold a meeting of all police commanders to set the working direction so that certain forces can get to work. Tomorrow, I'll start looking at the bomb cases' details but we cannot ignore the general public's problems on a daily basis including vices, dark influential figures, service establishments and drug abuse, we've to look at it all.

Q: The drug problem has become more severe than before.

A: It's back, but not as severe like the days when we had the first crack down.

Q: Are the drastic methods, like during Thaksin Shinawatra's administration, necessary?

A: No. We are police officers and our job is to maintain law and order, so whatever we do, we have to hold onto the law. Most importantly, the getting-the-wrong-guy issue is very serious, we must not arrest and proceed with legal action against the wrong people.

Q: Your working style, which was tough and action-prone may gain a lot of admirers but there are may at the Royal Thai Police headquarter that do not like you. Being in the top post of the police institution, what will you do to gain co-operation from the officers who do not like your working style?

A: There's no problem. The police are disciplined, I believe I can govern.

Q: How many months will it take to see the differences between you and the former national police chief?

A: When I take up the post, everything in the Royal Thai Police, should be in place. I will be in trouble if it is not in place as it will be impossible for me to start from scratch. Everyone must know their duties and perform them to the best of their ability.