ID :
143491
Fri, 09/24/2010 - 18:59
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http://m.oananews.org//node/143491
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Police Commission moves to appoint Somkid Inspector-General
BANGKOK, Sept 24 - Thailand's Police Commission on Friday resolved to appoint the embattled police general who this week voluntarily dropped his new post as Assistant National Police Chief to cool tensions between Thailand and Saudi Arabia as police Inspector-General.
Pol Lt Gen Somkid Boonthanom, with two years left in police service, on Wednesday announced his decision to give up the high-level position of Assistant Police Chief following Saudi dissatisfaction with his appointment leading to renewed tension between the two countries.
The Friday meeting of the Police Commission, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, resolved that Pol Lt Gen Jate Mongkolhatthi, currently chief of the Office of Legal Affairs, will become Assistant Police Chief replacing Gen Somkid.
Pol Lt Gen Santan Chayanont, who was earlier order to move from a post as Metropolitan Police Commissioner to inspector-general, will take Gen Jate's post.
The reshuffle will take effect Oct 1.
Gen Somkid told reporters by telephone that he would accept any position assigned to him.
Gen Somkid, currently Commissioner of Provincial Police of Region 5, was the prime suspect alleged to be involvement in the unsolved case of Saudi businessman Mohammed al-Ruwaili who disappeared in Bangkok 20 years ago.
Thailand's Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) early this year indicted five police officers including Gen Somkid in connection with the disappearance of the Saudi businessman in 1990, exactly one month before its statute of limitations expired on February 12, 2010.
Gen Somkid on Wednesday announced his intention not to accept the Assistant National Police Chief post after the issue had strained ties between Thailand and Saudi Arabia and was causing problems with visa process for Thai Muslims heading for the Hajj pilgrimage.
Saudi Charge d'Affaires Nabil Hussein Ashri said the recent impasse between Thailand and his country over the promotion of a top Thai police officer was unrelated to the Saudi embassy's handling of visa applications for Thai-Muslim pilgrims intending to make the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
The Saudi government had earlier issued statements criticising the general's promotion and calling for transparency, justice and non-interference in the case. (MCOT online news)
Pol Lt Gen Somkid Boonthanom, with two years left in police service, on Wednesday announced his decision to give up the high-level position of Assistant Police Chief following Saudi dissatisfaction with his appointment leading to renewed tension between the two countries.
The Friday meeting of the Police Commission, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, resolved that Pol Lt Gen Jate Mongkolhatthi, currently chief of the Office of Legal Affairs, will become Assistant Police Chief replacing Gen Somkid.
Pol Lt Gen Santan Chayanont, who was earlier order to move from a post as Metropolitan Police Commissioner to inspector-general, will take Gen Jate's post.
The reshuffle will take effect Oct 1.
Gen Somkid told reporters by telephone that he would accept any position assigned to him.
Gen Somkid, currently Commissioner of Provincial Police of Region 5, was the prime suspect alleged to be involvement in the unsolved case of Saudi businessman Mohammed al-Ruwaili who disappeared in Bangkok 20 years ago.
Thailand's Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) early this year indicted five police officers including Gen Somkid in connection with the disappearance of the Saudi businessman in 1990, exactly one month before its statute of limitations expired on February 12, 2010.
Gen Somkid on Wednesday announced his intention not to accept the Assistant National Police Chief post after the issue had strained ties between Thailand and Saudi Arabia and was causing problems with visa process for Thai Muslims heading for the Hajj pilgrimage.
Saudi Charge d'Affaires Nabil Hussein Ashri said the recent impasse between Thailand and his country over the promotion of a top Thai police officer was unrelated to the Saudi embassy's handling of visa applications for Thai-Muslim pilgrims intending to make the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
The Saudi government had earlier issued statements criticising the general's promotion and calling for transparency, justice and non-interference in the case. (MCOT online news)
