Lawmaker Questions Criteria for New National Police Chief
A Pheu Thai MP questioned the selection criteria for newly appointed National Police Chief General Samran Nuelamae, calling for transparency on why he was chosen and what reforms he plans to deliver over his seven-year term.
On July 23, 2025, at Parliament, Rangsimanth Rom, a Pheu Thai party list MP and chair of the House Legal Affairs, Justice and Human Rights Committee, spoke about the appointment of General Samran Nuelamae as the 16th National Police Chief for a seven-year term.
Rangsimanth said his main concern was why this particular candidate was chosen. Under the law, selection must be based on knowledge, ability, and seniority. Therefore, he stressed that whoever becomes National Police Chief must demonstrate transparency. He did not fault the nominee personally but called on the Prime Minister and the outgoing Police Chief to explain to society what criteria were used and what facts justified the decision.
Secondly, Rangsimanth asked what society should expect from General Samran over the next seven years and how he would transform the police organization. The committee is currently discussing police and justice reform, focusing on what changes citizens might see or whether the appointment would simply perpetuate old problems.
"If corruption among officers continues, if gray-market problems persist, then these seven years will be wasted," Rangsimanth said. "We hope the new Police Chief will seize this opportunity to make the police organization truly capable of enforcing the law effectively, without bias and without fear of powerful figures."
