The Police Commission yesterday reshuffled the Bangkok chief and the officer responsible for the strife-torn South.

Lieutenant-General Wiroj Jantharangsee, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, will trade jobs with Lt-General Adisorn Nonsee, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 6, which covers the lower North.

Adisorn is a close aide to acting national police chief Seripisut Temiyavej.

Lt-General Jettanakorn Napheetaphat, a commissioner serving as a liaison between the National Police Office and the PM's Office, will take over Provincial Police Region 9, which oversees the Muslim South. He has an in-law relationship with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

In other transfers, Lt-General Sathaphorn Laothong, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 3, is set to become the inspector-general, while the incumbent, Lt-General Bunrueng Pholphanich, will head the Immigration Police.

The commission's one-hour meeting also filled a vacant deputy commissioner-general slot. Lt-General Charnwut Watcharaphuk, a former assistant commissioner-general, will replace police spokesman General Ajiravid Subranbasaj, who resigned after Seripisut succeeded Kowit Wattana as acting commissioner-general earlier this month.

Seripisut earlier inaugurated the 1194 hotline and PO Box 1234 mailbox to receive complaints about police corruption and tip-offs about crimes. A website directly linked to the Inspector-General's Office was opened at www.jaray.police.go.th.

The call centre can be accessed from 77 terminals across the country and 20 police, including generals, can be assigned to receive complaints from callers while providing them with initial counsel on their grievances.

Seripisut said any police found guilty of graft or severe malfeasance would suffer mandatory discharge from service while those with good performance records would be rewarded with promotions and salary raises.

Seripisut also said those investigating the grenade attack on the Daily News newspaper office would incur disciplinary action or a promotion, depending on the outcome of their probe.

Khawhathai Malakarn

 The Nation