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He singled out the Justice Ministry for his criticism, saying that it submitted its version of the proposed revamp without discussing the issue with the police, who were working on their own version.

"What's the hurry?" Seripisut said. "I have not spoken with the ministry since, but if you, the media, ask me: I challenge anyone trying to restructure the Royal Thai Police to compete with me, as I have been trying to do it my whole life," he said.

Seripisut, who had been silent over the issue to date, also criticised the Council of State, which is now scrutinising the ministry's bill, saying that it knew nothing about real, long-standing problems that police officers faced.

The acting police chief said he would not attend a meeting at Government House tomorrow with members of the government panel working on the revamp, but would assign two deputies - Generals Charnwut Watch-araphuk and Wongkot Maneerin - to represent the force.

The Council of State yesterday started its scrutiny of the bill. Charnwut and Wongkot also attended yesterday's session to confront former crime-buster Wasit Dejkunchorn, chairman of the government committee, and its permanent secretary Kittiphong Kittayarak.

Former senate speaker Meechai Ruchuphan, as head of a Council of State special panel vetting the bill, asked the four people to compromise.

He said the council welcomed all feedback on the bill, including from the police and a companion bill being drafted by the police.