Wichean concedes to a transfer

National police chief General Wichean Potephosee on Wednesday conceded that he would not object to a transfer to an equivalent position out of the police service.

"Pressure is being applied to remove me," he said but gave no further explanation. Wichean said he had not lapsed in his duty, hence he deserved a fair reassignment.

He voiced hope that the government would find him a suitable job.

Earlier, former police chief General Seripisut Temiyavej said Wichean should bow to the shifting political wind rather than resist change.

"There are two ways to remove Wichean - the hard way or the gentle way," he said. Seripisut said he was an example of getting and losing the job because of a change of government.

"It is normal that the powers-that-be would want their man as chief of police," he said.

He told Wichean that he should accept a new job offer to become a permanent secretary at the Tourism and Sports Ministry, which is an equivalent position in ranking and seniority.

Should Wichean refuse to be transferred, he said the government would create an inactive position for him within the police service equivalent to the police chief. If this happens, Wichean would be sidelined and the government would have the mandate to name a new police chief without violating the Police Act, he said.