Kitrat Phanphet named Thailand’s new national police chief
Deputy National Police Chief Kitrat Phanphet has been appointed Thailand’s 15th national police chief following a unanimous vote by the Police Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Kitrat secured eight votes in his favour, emerging as the top candidate among three contenders. He is set to serve until his retirement at the age of 60 in 2026. The other candidates for the position were Police Inspector-General Kraiboon Suadsong and Deputy National Police Chief Thana Choowong.
Kitrat, an alumnus of Class 41 at the Royal Police Cadet Academy, began his career as a deputy interrogation inspector at Mueang Rayong Police Station in Rayong province. Over the years, he has held several prominent roles, including police inspector-general, commissioner of the national police chief’s office, assistant national police chief, and deputy police chief.
Recently, Kitrat had been serving as the acting national police chief. This interim role followed the transfer of his predecessor Torsak Sukvimol and former Deputy Police Chief Surachate Hakparn, aka Big Joke, to inactive posts at Government House. This reshuffling was largely attributed to a significant rift within the force, spurred by allegations of involvement in illegal online gambling activities, reported Bangkok Post.
In related news, former National Police Chief Police General Somyot Poompanmoung, former Deputy Attorney-General Nate Naksuk, and six others have been arraigned by public prosecutors in connection with the Red Bull heir hit-and-run case. The defendants face severe charges, including dereliction of duty.
Prosecutor Suvej Chompong represented the Office of the Attorney-General at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, submitting a 19-year statement of accusations against the accused.
In other news, the Royal Thai Police chief has signed an order to temporarily remove eight close aides of former Police General Big Joke, from their positions, pending a serious disciplinary investigation related to an online gambling case.
