Pol Gen Patcharawat quits

Patcharawat said he wanted to take a rest as he has only 21 days left before he reaches his mandatory retirement by the end of this month.

He seemed to be in a good mood when he announced his resignation. He then left the Royal Thai police in his vehicle at 5:10 pm.

Earlier Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva transferred Patcharawat to an inactive post in the PM's Office Ministry on Wednesday.

Abhisit told reporters that he already signed the transfer order.

The decision was made after meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and PM's Secretary General Niphon Prompan, Abhisit said. Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Thanee Somboonsap will become acting police chief.

The transfer came two days after after the National Anti-Corruption Commission found grounds to seek both criminal and disciplinary actions against Patcharawat for his involvement in the police's crackdown on protesters in front of Parliament on October 7 last year.

The protest was led by People's Alliance for Democracy. One protester was killed and many injured when police fired tear gas into the protesters.