PM names caretaker police chief

Pol Gen Wichien

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday named Pol Gen Wichien Potposri as caretaker police chief for the 10 days that the incumbent, Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, is on leave.

Abhisit said Wichien, a senior adviser at the National Police Office, was an appropriate choice because there has been some public concern about the handling of some important cases at this juncture.

Patcharawat, who will be visiting China over the next few days, had been under intense pressure to step aside after investigation into the attempt on Sondhi Limtrongkul's life ran into obstacles.

The police chief, the younger brother of Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, is also due to appear before the National Anti-Corruption Commission today to clarify his role in the action taken against anti-government protesters last October.

Patcharawat, who went to work as usual yesterday, insisted that he would keep working until he retires this October.

With regard to Wichien, police sources said the senior officer has been relatively impartial in handling politically related events so there is a chance that he could be made national police chief once Patcharawat retires.

According to the National Police Office regulations, the prime minister is empowered to name a caretaker national police chief when the incumbent is incapable of doing his duty or is on leave.

If the post were to be given based on seniority, it should go to Pol General Prieopan Damapong, a deputy national police chief, who is the senior-most officer. However, Prieopan is the older brother of Pojaman, the ex-wife of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and is current on assignment at provincial police units.