Deal over new chiefs?

[Lite Beer]

Deal over new chiefs?
THE NATION

Jakthip Chaijinda

BANGKOK: -- PRAWIT NAMES NEW POLICE CHIEF AMID RUMOURS THAT PM'S YOUNGER BROTHER PREECHA WILL BECOME NEXT ARMY CHIEF

THE ENDORSEMENT of General Jakthip Chaijinda as the new national police chief has raised the likelihood that General Preecha Chan-o-cha, the premier's younger brother, will be promoted to the powerful post of Army commander-in-chief this month, analysts say.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-c-cha yesterday did not chair the crucial meeting of the Royal Thai Police board, leaving Deputy Premier General Prawit Wongsuwan to preside over the vote.

The board voted 6-0 for Jakthip, a member of Prawit's inner circle, while another front-running candidate, General Aek Angsananont, did not get a vote.

Political observers said Prayut's gesture to allow Prawit to handpick the new police chief could have underlined a behind-the-scenes gentlemen's agreement for the premier's younger brother to take up the top post at the Army.

"It's a 1-1 top-post exchange at the highest level between the country's two most powerful figures. On one hand, Prawit got to pick the police chief. On the other, PM Prayut got his choice of Army chief, which is inevitably his own younger brother, who is one of the two front-running candidates for the powerful Army post," said one political analyst.

If General Preecha, currently the assistant Army chief, is named the new chief, Prayut's grip on power within the military will be further solidified for an extended period after trusted General Udomdej Sitabutr retires on September 30.

Analysts said the police chief and Army chief posts were regarded as the two most important in terms of national security as Thailand had not yet returned to a democratically elected government.

Jakthip is known to be close to Prawit, whose own younger brother was a former national police chief, while Aek was a former high school classmate of PM Prayut who was assigned to take charge of the government's crackdown on human trafficking activities.

Both were strong contenders, but Jakthip got the upper hand due to the Preecha factor.

Preecha's rival to become Army chief is General Thirachai Nakawanich,

Thirachai is reportedly backed by Prawit, who is also Defence Minister. Preecha and Thirachai will reach mandatory retirement in 2016.

'Blood relative stronger'

"What will happen is reflected in the Thai proverb, which says that a blood relative is usually stronger than someone who is not related by blood," said another source.

Jakthip is set to become the 11th national police commissioner, replacing General Somyot Poompanmuang, who is scheduled to retire on September 30.

"At the meeting [to elect him], Prawit voiced his support for Jakthip and everyone there nodded," a source at the police board meeting said.

The source said Jakthip had a long-standing close relationship with Prawit's family through his ties with Prawit's younger brother, former national police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan.

When asked about the board's decision, Jakthip beamed. But he refused to comment, explaining that the appointment has yet to receive Royal endorsement.

Born on October 19, 1959, Jakthip has five more years before mandatory retirement.

He is called the "Teargas Gentleman" after he used his shirt to provide first aid to a political demonstrator injured by police teargas during a crackdown in 2011.

Jakthip has been assigned to many important cases including the double murders of British tourists in Koh Tao last year, and car-bomb incidents in Bangkok.

He is famous for being an adept coordinator. He can talk to all sides and wins much respect.

His asset declaration shows he has more than Bt1 billion in assets.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Deal-over-new-chiefs-30266650.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-15

[NongKhaiKid]

Deals : Most definitely

Promotion based on experience, suitability and merit etc. : NEVER

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

How much did the new post cost him?

[Toknarok]

And I thought that cronyism and nepotism under Thaksin was bad.

[BSJ]

A wink and a nudge and a suitcase full of cash!

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

His asset declaration shows he has more than Bt1 billion in assets

[saakura]

What is the source of a billion baht in assets?

[thesetat2013]

They actually are the using the kho tao murders as credited to this guy? Heheee! I for one would not be bragging about that.

If they are brothers and both at the highest position and both given their posts at almost the same time. How can the world take Thailand seriously in believing P is trying to end corruption. This can only be done to ensure those close to P are left in control should he find the democratic idea doesn't work yet! The nations internal security will be stronger. But why would they need this? Just to stop a few hundred from protesting?

[NongKhaiKid]

What is the source of a billion baht in assets?

I suppose he too married a rich woman.

[CiaranO]

New faces same results. Nepotism and corruption.

[h90]

Deals : Most definitely

Promotion based on experience, suitability and merit etc. : NEVER

At the police force you won't find any good one. You can only kick out all the top brass and start from zero.

[bulldoggy]

Just another day at the third world circus that is Thailand. No change, no progress, no hope

[AGareth2]

What is the source of a billion baht in assets?

0.5 dollars a head

Edited August 15, 2015 by AGareth2

[halloween]

Aek has just been named in a major bid-fixing court case. Prior knowledge?

[JAG]

Do you suppose that there is a link between him being an "adept co-coordinator" and having 1 billion Baht in assets? You would have to be pretty adept to build up that level of wealth on a policeman's salary.

As for a "gentleman's" agreement to allow the younger brother to inherit the title win promotion on merit to commander of the army, well perish the thought, it is unworthy!

Edited August 15, 2015 by JAG

[lildragon]

Ahh nepotism and cronyism. I'm sure glad we had that wonderful coup that removed such unethical behavior.

[BKKBrit]

May Karma come calling to these despots.

Edited August 15, 2015 by BKKBrit

[ratcatcher]

Isn't this all part of the massive chess game being played out in this country prior to the next major event that will affect everybody?

[Anthony5]

Preecha and Thirachai will reach mandatory retirement in 2016.

So they go through all this nepotism for the sake of 1 year, when it all has to be done over?

[JAG]

One year, 365 days, look on it as 365 opportunities. ..

[halloween]

Preecha and Thirachai will reach mandatory retirement in 2016.

So they go through all this nepotism for the sake of 1 year, when it all has to be done over?

Jakrit's appointment might better be described as cronyism assuming there were not other reasons why he was selected. Preecha might be considered nepotism, assuming he is not the better candidate, but let's wait until the announcement is made.

[jaidam]

Surprising that Panya Mamen is not front and central in this race, after his performance last year he must be emminently "suitable" for the top job.

[Anthony5]

Jakthip has been assigned to many important cases including the double murders of British tourists in Koh Tao last year, and car-bomb incidents in Bangkok.

Going from the results of these 2 case only, that qualifies him for the job. NOT

[starky]

I love it. In a country where the police salary is pathetic and the local constabulary need to pay for their own guns uniforms and bikes etc how the <deleted> does a copper end up with a billion baht in assets unless he is dirty...oh right, nothing to see here, carry on.

[starky]

General P really showing his true colours in the fight against corruption.

[mark131v]

A skeptic could be forgiven for thinking that this smells to high hell...

These people are obviously the right people for the job as they have all managed to amass vast wealth far beyond their means so are obviously hard working and very astute individual's

Makes me despair....

[heybruce]

If I remember correctly, one of the justifications for the 2006 coup was that Thaksin was appointing loyal generals to the top ranks to consolidate his power. Evidently it's bad for an elected PM to do that, but acceptable for a junta leader.

[halloween]

If I remember correctly, one of the justifications for the 2006 coup was that Thaksin was appointing loyal generals to the top ranks to consolidate his power. Evidently it's bad for an elected PM to do that, but acceptable for a junta leader.

Any indication of rocket promotion in the current situation, or did you forget about that?

[heybruce]

If I remember correctly, one of the justifications for the 2006 coup was that Thaksin was appointing loyal generals to the top ranks to consolidate his power. Evidently it's bad for an elected PM to do that, but acceptable for a junta leader.

Any indication of rocket promotion in the current situation, or did you forget about that?

No, but indications of suspicious financial dealings by the man likely to become the new Army Chief:

"Preecha earlier declared that he possessed assets worth approximately 79 million baht. This prompted social media users in Thailand to try and trace the sources of Preecha’s wealth. These investigations found that the money in at least one of Preecha’s bank accounts had apparently come directly from the budget of the 3^rd Army, which he used to command. They also found that due to a “math” error in adding up his bank accounts, Preecha’s net worth was closer to 90 million baht than the 79 million baht he originally claimed." http://thediplomat.com/2014/10/thai-junta-beset-by-corruption-scandals/

Not surprisingly, Prayut insisted he was much to busy to investigate this or other suspicious dealings in the army.

[oneday]

"..Prime Minister Prayut Chan-c-cha yesterday did not chair the crucial meeting of the Royal Thai Police board, leaving Deputy Premier General Prawit Wongsuwan to preside over the vote..."

Does anyone really think it matters if Mr. P is there or not?