PM's choice for police chief looks assured

       Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has received a boost in getting his choice of the next police chief approved after a member of the Police Commission who earlier abstained from voting said he would now back Pol Gen Prateep Tunprasert.
       Noppadol Inna yesterday said he would support Mr Abhisit's nomination of Pol Gen Prateep on Monday when the commission meets again to vote on the appointment.
       Mr Noppadol, a specialist on the 11-man commission, said he had no problem with Mr Abhisit resubmitting Pol Gen Prateep's name.
       Mr Noppadol's backing for Pol Gen
       Prateep last week would have spared Mr Abhisit the humiliation of failing tosecure his choice for the top police job.
       The new police chief will succeed Pol Gen PatcharPrateep: Now likely awat Wongsuwon,to be police chief who retires at the end of next month.Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree, a police adviser, declined to comment on speculation the prime minister might reappoint him as the acting police chief if Pol Gen Patcharawat was transferred to assist in work at the PM's Office if he is found to have misused 18 million baht in state funds.
       The transfer of Pol Gen Patcharawat would allow Pol Gen Wichean to vote for the new police chief during the next meeting of the Police Commission on Monday.
       The prime minister appointed Pol Gen Wichean as acting police chief while Pol Gen Patcharawat was away in China and in the South earlier this month.
       Democrat MP for Chon Buri Pramual Iempia lashed out at Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul yesterday over his rejection of Mr Abhisit's choice for the new police chief last week.
       Mr Chavarat, who is also on the Police Commission, is leader of the coalition Bhumjaithai Party.
       He said the rejection was inconsiderate on Mr Chavarat's part.
       Meanwhile, the Police Commission committee looking into claims of bribes for positions within the police force had sought an extension of its inquiry by another 15 days.
       Somsak Boonthong, who heads the seven-member committee, said more time was needed as many individuals were implicated.
       The panel yesterday invited regional police chiefs to testify before it.
       Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday insisted the Police Commission would not change Pol Gen Patcharawat's proposed reshuffle list for officers of the rank of deputy commander and below.