Pol Lt-General Santhan Chayanont has been transferred from the prestigious post of Bangkok police chief to inspector-general in the Royal Thai Police (RTP).
In a short-listed annual reshuffle approved yesterday, he was replaced by an officer with ties to key government ally Newin Chidchob.
Pol Lt-General Jakthip Chaijinda, who is reportedly close to Newin, takes over at the Metropolitan Police Bureau. Pol Lt-General Tha-ngai Prassajaksattroo, husband of Democrat MP Siriwan and incumbent commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, will be the new commander of Provincial Police Bureau 2.
The Police Commission came up with the shortlist yesterday, which saw changes in the leadership level of the RTP. They include Pol Maj-General Sriwara Rangsiphrammanakul, who takes over the new Provincial Police Bureau 1 from Pol Lt-General Krissada Phankhongchuen, promoted to assistant police chief.
The commission agreed that it would not appeal against a Central Administrative Court order that revoked an order appointing Pol General Watcharaphol Prasarnraj-chakit as a deputy police chief, and placed him in a special position attached to the RTP. The commission also agreed to reinstate Pol General Chalor Choowong to his position as deputy police chief with retroactive effect dating back to April 3 last year.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, chairman of the Police Commission, said experts would discuss possible legal technicalities on re-instating Chalor to his police position over his seniority in the RTP's pecking order - after serving under a civilian quota under the PM's Office Ministry.