PM's top aide ready to quit over police chief issue

Niphon and PM

Niphon had tried to persuade Abhisit to nominate Pol General Jumpol Manmai, favoured by the coalition partner Bhum Jai Thai Party, for the top post on the force, but was asked by Abhisit to negotiate with Bhum Jai Thai to throw support behind Pol General Patheep Tanprasert.

Niphon will wait for his boss to decide whether he should continue helping him, or leave.

He refused to confirm the report yesterday about his proposed resignation, saying he would go to work at Government House today.

Critics believe Abhisit has more to lose if Niphon leaves because not only would the conflict within Abhisit's Democrat Party intensify and be exposed to the public eye, but also he would lose a staunch aide, who rallies coalition parties for their support.

Niphon is closely linked to Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban through his sister, who is the unregistered wife of Suthep.

Abhisit has had several clashes with Suthep already, beginning with Abhisit's move to suspend National Police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan. Suthep also backs Jumpol to replace Patcharawat.

Abhisit was confident that Bhum Jai Thai would not pull the plug on the government if he did not nominate Jumpol. "There will not be a withdrawal because I have all the information with me,'' he said. The next meeting to pick the National Police chief should be held within two weeks.

Niphon's lobbying for Jumpol would not sway him, the PM said. "I will not change my stance because I have a commitment to do everything in the public interest,'' he said.

Abhisit said he had solid information but needed more time to coordinate with officials before calling a meeting to appoint the new police chief. He would definitely propose only one person for the post.

"I believe everyone still has good intentions but I am the one who has the complete information,'' he said.

According to prominent circles, Bhum Jai Thai leaders claimed that after Niphon came back from Germany, he contacted Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul and other members of the Police Commission to champion Jumpol.

If Abhisit tried to push Patheep through without heeding the calls from Suthep and Niphon, leaders believe the government would not survive because Bhum Jai Thai is ready to go to the polls.