One day after the search for a new national police chief was announced, officials seem to have already found their man.
More than a month after the position was vacated, a junta-appointed body selected a deputy police chief, Gen. Somyot Poompanmoung, to elevate to the kingdom’s top cop.
Although a list of candidates had been announced yesterday, Somyot, a junta loyalist, was the only person nominated and was unanimously chosen, according to The Nation. The search was announced yesterday to being today.
He replaces the previous chief, police Gen. Adul Sangsingkeo, who will be retiring at the end of September. Nominated for the job two years ago by former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Adul was removed from the post last month by the junta to be brought in as deputy chief in charge of a special affairs unit.
Gen. Prayuth Chanocha led the Board of the Royal Thai Police’s search process.
Photo: Thai PBS
