Gen Apirak returns to Phuket
PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police yesterday morning held a ceremony bidding farewell Pol Maj Gen Decha Budnampeth on his last day of duty as Phuket Provincial Police Commander and welcoming back his replacement, Pol Maj Apirak Hongthong.
Gen Decha has been promoted to the position of commander of general staff at Police Region 8 headquarters in Surat Thani.
Among those attending the ceremony were Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit, Vice-Governor Worapoj Ratthasima, Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Piya Bharatasilpin, Phuket Tourist Association (PTA) President Maitree Narukatpichai and the superintendents of all district police stations on the island.
Gen Decha was promoted to the position of Phuket Provincial Police Commander on October 3, 2005, following his assignment as Phang Nga Provincial Police Deputy Commander. He served as Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander before that.
Gen Apirak returns to Phuket from his previous posting as Ranong Provincial Police Commander.
An expert on immigration matters, Gen Apirak has served as Phuket Immigration Superintendent.
In 2004, he took a leave of absence in an unsuccessful bid to win a seat on the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) under the banner of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai party.
On his way to take up his new post last Saturday, he stopped at the Heroines’ Monument in Thalang to pay tribute to Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Sri Soonthorn.
During the handover ceremony, Gen Decha said he would continue to use his new position at the Region 8 headquarters to assist law enforcement efforts in Phuket “in every way possible”.
