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Published on March 1, 2008

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday ordered Seripisut to be seconded to the Prime Minister's Office and a committee set up to investigate serious disciplinary allegations against the top policeman.

In the PM's order, Seripisut's deputy, General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, was appointed as the caretaker police chief.

Over the past week, three other top permanent officials have been similarly transferred. They are Department of Special Investigation director-general Sunai Manomai-udom, Food and Drug Admini-stration secretary-general Dr Siriwat Thiptaradon and Public Relations Department director-general Pramote Rathavinit.

Seripisut threatened to bring his case to the Administrative Court, saying that his transfer out of office was not justified.

When asked to comment on Seripisut's threat, Samak said: "No problem".

The premier also said that it was justified for a new administration to order secondments of senior bureaucrats they see fit. "There are hundreds of senior [bureaucratic] positions and only three of them have been transferred," he said.

In his order, Samak cited three cases involving Seripisut's serious disciplinary violations. They were an alleged irregularity concerning the Royal Thai Police's Bt9.8-billion vehicle rental project, use of foul language with subordinates and abuse of power in the recent transfers of police officers.

The four-man investigative panel is headed by Attorney General Chaikasem Nitisiri.

The abrupt transfer happened a day after the return of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is reportedly pushing for the promotion of his brother-in-law Lt-General Preowpan Damapong.

Seripisut was promoted to his job following the ousting of Thaksin. Preowpan has been seconded from the police service to the Prime Minister's Office since the September 19 coup. He called on Thaksin on Thursday evening before the transfer of Seripisut was released to the public.

Both Seripisut and Patcharawat will retire in September.

General Patcharawat yesterday expressed readiness in his new position as acting national police chief following Seripisut's abrupt secondment.

"I have seen the order from the Office of the Prime Minister's Secretary-General to replace General Seripisut," he said, adding that the order, which took immediate effect, did not specify any reason for the job switch.

He said he was surprised by his sudden promotion although he was ready to work in any capacity within the police service.

"I have been a police officer since 1972 and am ready for any assignments," he said.

Meanwhile, Democrat MP Thaworn Senniam yesterday said he believed Seripisut's secondment, as well as other recent high-profile ones involving senior bureaucrats, were politically motivated.

Piyanart Srivalo,Kwanhathai Malakarn

The Nation