The commander of Provincial Police Bureau 2 was yesterday transferred to an inactive post following allegations he had used favouritism in a recent reshuffle of police officers - and benefited from those agreeing to pay for good positions.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva approved Kriangsak's transfer and ordered an investigation into position-selling allegations. The positions in this reshuffle are at the deputy station chiefs' and station superintendents' levels.
Democrat MP Sorrawuth Nuengjamnong, of Chon Buri province which is under jurisdiction of the Provincial Police Bureau 2, praised Kriangsak's transfer which he said would boost morale of policemen based there.
Sorrawuth, a member of the House committee on police affairs, said he had learned of position-selling claims from many police officers, especially "those who paid the money but were not given positions promised", who were willing to testify in a meeting on February 11, if asked.
A Royal Thai Police source said Kriangsak's reshuffle order did not meet the criteria for giving one fourth of police officers with seniority a chance of automatic promotion - this condition is aimed at preventing "quota boys" from leaping over the qualified 25 per cent.
The source said Kriangsak was aware of the protest by his deputy over the transfer list. This unnamed officer refused to sign the transfer list in order not to concur with it. But still Kriangsak submitted his version to the RTP for approval.
Pol Lt General Ek Angsananont, an assistant police chief who oversees the RTP transfers, said Assawain had been instructed to make a new transfer list in accordance with the criteria by February 16 - a deadline.
