Top Cop : Least red preferred?

By Avudh Panananda
The Nation
Published on August 20, 2009

Tough job for Abhisit to rid the force of political influence, Thaksin's legacy

The naming of the new police chief is, in a nutshell, the picking of the lesser of two evils - because on the political totem pole, the police top echelons are dominated by red-tinted officers.

Unfortunately, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has limited options when appointing the national police chief from a pool of eight candidates, seen as harbouring differing shades of red in their political leaning.

Police generals grouped in the dark, fire-hydrant red camp are Priewpan Damapong, Wongkot Maneerin and Jongrak Juthanont.

Those in the not-so-glaring red are Wichien Potposri, Watcharaphol Prasanratchakit and Wiroj Phaholvech.

Those in the diluted red are Patheep Tanprasert and Jumpol Manmai.

General Thanee Somboonsap is not in the race to replace outgoing chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan due to his mandatory retirement in September.

Under the Police Act, Patcharawat's successor must be nominated from one of the eight senior-most officers.

In theory the police service is supposed to be an impartial law enforcement body freed from partisan interests. In reality, the Royal Thai Police is mired in political polarisation.

In a legacy left by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, police work soared to new heights under his prodding between 2001-2006. The police service rallied behind Thaksin's leadership for two reasons - the kindred spirits of fellow police cadets, and his astute move to consolidate power through the police patronage system.

In the eyes of policemen, Thaksin was their patron saint, the second to come along following the late police strongman General Phao Sriyanont.

Under the Thaksin administration, then police chief General Sant Sarutanont placed the police service under the prime minister's beck and call, opening the trapdoor for politics to permeate police ranks.

Although police officers have never been strangers to politicians, Thaksin's meddling brought about an unprecedented politicisation of the police service. Three years after his exit, many still see police remaining under the red spell.

If political expediency is allowed to infest police ranks, then police credibility for law enforcement remains an elusive goal.

The political divide of red vs yellow rivalry will not dissipate. The standard of law enforcement will be forever in doubt for politically-motivated cases such as the investigative supervision by Wongkot, seen as Thaksin's henchman, of the lese majeste charges against fugitive suspect Jakrapob Penkair.

As the police service is undergoing a major restructuring, a golden opportunity opens up for Abhisit to wean the police officers off politics.

The crucial question is not about the Democrats trying to dominate police affairs but about how they can steer police away from politics. Given the number of red-tinted officers, the Democrats have no chance of swaying police to their side, short of purging the entire service.

The best they can do, at this juncture, is to convince the police to be politically neutral.

Abhisit's first step is to handpick the chief with all the right qualifications to advance police professionalism and discourage the police force from playing a role of political henchmen.

Despite his exemplary track record, Patcharawat erred by drawing up the police reshuffle list in the business-as-usual manner. If Abhisit fails to intervene on time, then the restructured police service will likely lean deeper toward the red camp and polarisation will never end.

This explains why Abhisit has been trying to prevent Patcharawat's involvement in the police line-up.

To ensure an end to the police politicisation, it is evident Priewpan, Wongkot and Jongrak are not suitable for the job, regardless of their seniority.

Wichien and Watcharaphol were promoted less than three months ago, therefore they might not deserve a turn at the job just yet.

Wiroj was in charge of the botched crowd control at Pattaya in April. The picture of the red shirts raiding the Asean Summit venue remains haunting.

Serious contenders for the job might boil down to the choice between Patheep and Jumpol. Jongrak is a possible dark horse due to his last-ditch attempt to shed himself of the red tint and work into Abhisit's good grace.

To pick the national police chief under such circumstances,Abhisit has to review which of their past political sins he can live with in order to effect the political cleansing of the police service.

Jongrak identified himself closely with the red shirts. He promptly turned chameleon after the Democrats came to power.

Although Patheep was not seen as close to Thaksin, he was a chief supporter of former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat. He was Somchai's henchman to counter the yellow shirts, giving protection to his leader, paving a way for him to return to Chiang Mai from Chile during the Bangkok airports seizure in December.

Jumpol once served as intelligence czar for Thaksin. He faded from Thaksin's inner circle shortly before the 2006 coup.