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"The review is in line with police regulations enacted in 2004 prescribing seven criteria for recalling police titles," he said.

They include conviction on charges of abuse of power and a sentence of imprisonment, he said in reference to Thaksin's guilty verdict and two-year jail term for conflict of interest.

The police's disciplinary division initiated the proceedings against Thaksin before the Democrat-led coalition came to power, he said.

Thaksin's verdict was final because the defence decided not to appeal it, he said.

In the case of former crime buster Lt General Chalor Kerdtes, all three judgements against him were under appeal, so no justification could be made to subject him to the rank review at this time, he said.

Police did not selectively target Thaksin for punishment, he said. The disciplinary action was routine, as per the National Police Act, and some 15 convicted officers were having their ranks reviewed.

Suthep had responded to a query from the House floor on the Thaksin case.

Pheu Thai MP Chaowarin Latthasaksiri, in framing his question, had voiced puzzlement at the apparent rush to deprive Thaksin of his police rank after the government was inaugurated less than a week following the policy debate.

Chaowarin also aired his legal opinion that the police regulations should not be applied to Thaksin because his conviction was based on anti-graft law, specifically the offence of conflict of interest, while the disciplinary provisions prescribe punishment for offences under the Criminal Code.