During a meeting of the Police Commission Committee (ก.ตร.) held on the 20th floor of the Operations Center of the Royal Thai Police (ศปก.ตร.), Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presided over the consideration of 156 high-ranking police appointments ranging from Deputy National Police Chief down to Commander. According to the official proceedings, the major restructuring aims to respond directly to policies targeting transnational crime, call center syndicates, grey-market capital, and narcotics.
Top Management and Highest Administrative Posts
The adjustments for top administrative ranks follow established seniority principles and the overarching policy management of the Royal Thai Police, according to the official meeting records. Pol. Lt. Gen. Krisada Surachetpong, both previously serving as Assistant National Police Chiefs, were promoted to Deputy National Police Chiefs to oversee broad policy administration. Additionally, Pol. Lt. Gen. Thanapol Srisopha moved up from Deputy Inspector General to Inspector General (จตช.), taking charge of discipline and ethical standards for police officers nationwide.
Did You Know? The high-stakes police reshuffle meeting took place on the 20th floor of the Royal Thai Police Operations Center (ศปก.ตร.) and encompassed exactly 156 specific command positions.
Specialized Units and Cyber Security Commanders
Appointments within specialized divisions and cyber security focus heavily on task-specific investigators designed to combat modern crimes and cross-border economic offenses. Pol. Gen. Samran Nuanma, was appointed as the Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau (สตม.). This placement shifts the Immigration Bureau toward deep investigative work rather than routine border checkpoint duties, according to the documentation.
Meanwhile, Pol. Maj. Gen. Thinnakorn Rangmat, an explicit Class 46 graduate and investigator from the Police Cyber Taskforce (ศปอส.ตร.), moved up from Deputy Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (บช.สอท.) to head the cyber police as the new Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau Commissioner. Lt. Gen. Jirabhop Bhuridhet to maintain continuous pressure on call center gangs and scammers. In parallel, Pol. Lt. Gen. Phumin Poompanmoung, a younger hardline officer from Class 52, was transferred to lead the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (ปส.) to inject an active, proactive approach into cutting off major drug networks.
Metropolitan and Regional Commanders
Regional leadership shifts balance stability in core urban zones with targeted deployments across economic and border corridors. Pol. Lt. Gen. Piyawat Chalermsri remain in their respective posts as Metropolitan Police Bureau Commissioner (ผบช.น.) overseeing Bangkok and Provincial Police Region 9 Commissioner managing security in the deep south. Gen. Kitrat Phanphet—took over Provincial Police Region 1.
Strategic economic zones and border areas received specific expert assignments to dismantle foreign influence and trafficking. Pol. Maj. Gen. Wasan Techakraisorn (Class 46), recognized for fighting scammers, advanced to command Provincial Police Region 2 covering Chonburi, Pattaya, and Rayong. Pol. Maj. Gen. Pratchaya Prasansuk shifted from the Immigration Bureau to lead Provincial Police Region 5 in upper northern Thailand, focusing on blocking drug shipments and illegal migration. Lt. Gen. Athicha Paoin (Class 44) for Region 3, Pol. Maj. Gen. Nopklao Somnas (Class 48) for Region 4, Pol. Maj. Gen. Worawat Mali (Class 44) for Region 6, Pol. Lt. Gen. Sirachet Kruwattanaset for Region 7, and Pol. Lt. Gen. Wimon Phitakburapha (Class 45) for Region 8.
Expert Insight: The heavy deployment of Class 46 alumni into strategic seats like the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Immigration Bureau, Cyber Bureau, and regional commands demonstrates a deliberate strategy by police leadership to align operational investigations with the administration’s stated focus on transnational criminal enterprises.
Merit System Adjustments and Special Missions
Several positions were filled following reviews by the Merit System Protection Board (ก.พ.ค.ตร.), alongside special task assignments for policy coordination. Pol. Maj. Maj. Gen. Wiwat Khamchamnan (Class 45) was named Commissioner attached to the Royal Thai Police Office. Additionally, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chomชวิณ Purathananont (Class 47) moved into a coordination role linked directly to the Prime Minister’s office.
Prominently, Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Pankaew—widely known as “Big Tao”—shifted from Deputy Central Investigation Bureau Commissioner to Commissioner attached to the Royal Thai Police Office. According to the source records, he is expected to receive direct special assignments from the National Police Chief regarding high-profile corruption suppression cases.
Lt. Gen. Nopศิลป์ Phunsawat was appointed as the Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau (สตม.). [What specific role has been designated for Pol. Maj. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Pankaew moved up to Commissioner attached to the Royal Thai Police Office, where he is anticipated to handle special assignments focused on major corruption suppression directly from the National Police Chief.
How will these targeted leadership placements impact the ongoing enforcement actions against transnational call center syndicates and grey capital networks across the country?