The Police Commission yesterday approved the creation of a new senior position to reportedly serve as a springboard for Pol Lt-General Assawin Khwanmueng to become national police chief in the future.
As secretary to the commission, Pol General Ek Angsananont said at present no particular individual was being considered for the new grade-10 position - adviser to the Royal Thai Police on detective administration.
Assawin, currently assistant national police chief, is known for his integrity and lack of ties with former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. While serving as police chief during Samak Sundaravej's administration, Assawin was transferred to an inactive post when he showed reluctance in dispersing People's Alliance for Democracy demonstrators as ordered by the PM.
Ek denied that the position was created to benefit any particular individual, saying the commission deemed it important and appropriate for greater efficiency.
After attending a 30-minute meeting with the Police Commission to approve the new position, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he did not know if a fully active police chief could be appointed by the end of this year.
"The Police Commission did not discuss the issue of a permanent national police chief today," he said, adding that it was not on the agenda for the next meeting either.
Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul said he was okay with Assawin being finally given the national police chief's post. "The Royal Thai Police is not under the ministry, which only serves as a board member for the Police Commission," he added.