Police Chief Denies Favoritism in Promotions, Eyes August 21 Meeting
The National Police Chief denies favoritism in upcoming general rank promotions, insisting all selections follow merit-based procedures ahead of an August 21 screening committee meeting, though questions persist over disparities between off
At 08:35 on August 17, 2025, at Don Mueang Royal Thai Army Air Base Building 6, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declined to comment on reports of political influence in police general appointments. National Police Chief Kittiphad Panthet, who chairs the officer promotion board, is preparing to convene a screening committee comprising deputy police chiefs and representatives of the Civil Service Commission to review candidates for general ranks up to deputy commissioner and commissioner positions by August 21 at the latest.
Recent speculation has focused on disparities in promotions between graduating classes: Class 47 officer Theeradej Thammsutheera, deputy commander of the Northern Bureau, has not been advanced to general rank despite a strong record, while Class 48 officer Charuenkiat Pankwae, deputy commander of the East Bureau, has been promoted to major general.
When a reporter asked whether a "slate" of preferred candidates exists, the Prime Minister only smiled and gestured to Police Chief Kittiphad without answering, before departing for an international trip. Kittiphad stated firmly: "Do not use the word 'slate.' Everything follows legal procedure under the National Police Act and Civil Service Commission rules. There is no slate, nothing like that. All selections are based on unit reviews and merit, submitted to the National Police Office. Once names arrive, they are placed in a qualified pool and reviewed by a committee under Section 81(1)(a) of the National Police Office, where we discuss records and history without any predetermined list. The meeting date has not yet been finalized or confirmed as August 21."
Regarding reports that Class 47 names have stalled while Class 48 promotions have moved forward, Kittiphad clarified: "There is no restriction by graduating class. Advancement depends on record and performance to be presented at the meeting. Everyone should not worry about age limits or seniority. Everything is transparent and fair." When asked if all procedures are fair and all officers are treated equally, he replied simply: "Correct."
