Police have celebrated the National Police Day this year without their most senior officers due to continued government delays in appointing senior commanders.
Officers in all provinces conducted ceremonies yesterday to mark the day without any provincial police chiefs present to commemorate the event, observers said.
The government has not yet appointed provincial police chiefs because of struggles within the ruling coalition.The annual appointments are normally completed before the end of the fiscal year, Sept 30, when civil servants including police officers who have reached 60 years usually retire.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is responsible for national security, said the Police Commission would meet this Friday to discuss appointing local police chiefs. The list of appointments had been prepared and should be approved at the meeting, he said.
But Mr Suthep did not say when the appointment process would be finalised and refused comment on the cause of the delays.
The appointment of a replacement for former national police chief Patchar-awat Wongsuwon, who retired two weeks ago, has proved a serious obstacle.
Traffic police said they marked Police Day yesterday by avoiding issuing tickets and handing out fines to drivers who violated traffic laws, opting instead to give verbal warnings.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva asked officers in his national address to cooperate with government efforts to find a solution to the economic, political and administrative challenges facing the country. He also promised to give his full support to the police.
Mr Abhisit reminded officers to use peaceful means to solve conflicts, promote national reconciliation and protect the royal institution.
Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday used Twitter to criticise the delayed police reshuffle.
The retired police lieutenant-colonel said he had not seen police morale at such a low ebb for many years. Thaksin offered the police his moral support and made a wish to help them overcome the continuing economic and political crises.
Mr Suthep, meanwhile, sidestepped the question of when the government would appoint a new national police chief to replace Pol Gen Patcharawat.
He said he could not comment as the decision rested with the Royal Thai Police Board which was chaired by the prime minister.
Mr Suthep refused to comment on speculation that the new national police chief has already been decided.
Former PM's secretary-general Niphon Phromphan was reported to have told guests at a recent party at Mr Suthep's Surat Thani home that the prime minister had accepted a "special signal" over who should be appointed the next chief.
Mr Niphon and Mr Suthep were said to have backed the Bhumjaithai Party's nomination of deputy police chief Chumpol Manmai for the post, but Mr Abhisit has supported acting national police chief Pateep Tanprasert.
Mr Abhisit nominated Pol Gen Pateep at the two past board meetings only to have his choice rejected.
Mr Niphon recently resigned from his post as PM's secretary-general.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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