Chuan, Banyat back Patheep as top cop

Sources close to Abhisit said party leaders such as the Democrats' chief advisor Chuan Leekpai, party-list MP Banyat Bantadtan threw their weight behind the PM to back his decision after the shock move to block his choice as the new police chief.

Abhisit was seen as having lost some leverage after the Police Policy Commission voted recently against Patheep - his nominee for the top police post.

"If Abhisit does not put his foot down, he will lose his power to run the government. He has full backing from party leaders, who have vowed to stand by him no matter what happens,'' the source said.

After meeting with Abhisit, Niphon joined a meeting of the Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC) at Parliament and informed National Police Chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan of Abhisit's decision. Patcharawat, who will retire in September attended the meet-|ing with his brother Defence Minister Prawit, was described as very upset, and left the meeting abruptly even though he had only minutes earlier.

Abhisit has decided to stick with his earlier decision to appoint Patheep after checking with some highly-placed sources and find-|ing out that a claim cited by those who opposed his decision was not true.

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, from the Bhum |Jai Thai Party, who is a member of the commission in charge of naming the national police chief, was among five members who voted against Abhisit's nominee. He reportedly wanted Pol Gen Jumpol Manmai as the new police chief, allegedly claiming it was special requirement.

Although Niphon and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban still do not agree with Abhisit over his nomination of the new police chief, they are ready to negotiate with the Bhum Jai Thai Party to comply with the PM's choice so Abhisit does not lose control of the administration.

Abhisit said yesterday he had not decided when to call another meeting of the Police Policy Commission to name the new police chief but said the Police Commission would meet tomorrow.