Police chief to be punished, if found involving in Oc t 7 violence; PM

Abhisit said he would discuss Phatcharawat's re-instatement with the Cabinet and wait for the result of the investigation by the National Human Righst Commission about the October 7 crackdown.

Phatcharawat is one of 23 officials being investigated for involvement in the event.

Abhisit said his government would decide on the matter in a straightforward manner without taking into account who is a brother of whom.

Phatcharawat had denied that his reinstatement had anything to do with his elder brother, Pravit, becoming Defence minister.

Phatcharawat was in charge on October 7, when Bangkok saw a series of clashes between police and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) near Parliament.