National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch has pledged to uphold the law and police expertise, protect life and property, and stop and find violence.
In an exclusive interview with the Bangkok Post following the Police Commission’s unanimous endorsement of his visit, the Ratchaburi local, even the son of a former police officer himself, promises to do his duties to the best of his powers.
He succeeded Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, who retired at the end of September.
Pol Gen Kittharath, who served as the acting police captain, was one of the three candidates considered by the committee, chaired by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
The various two applicants were Pol Gen Kraiboon Suadsong, the inspector-general, and Pol Gen Thana Chuwong, the assistant federal police chief. Pol Gen Kittharath, 58, may provide until the end of September 2026.
” I will function with integrity and openness for the people’s pleasure.” They are my main working laws”, he said.
He said he will comply to rank requirements under the Police Act in order to make the officers a more professional organization.
” The authorities are expected to work with clarity to keep the law and order in place while even safeguarding people’s lives and property,” Pol Gen Kittharath said.
Prior to enrolling in the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School ( AFAPS), Pol Gen Kittharath had always dreamed of becoming a man.
He warmly recalls, however, that he had to give in to his father’s persuasion after being offered a new fishing nets if he passed the AFAPS entry exam and switched careers.
According to Pol Gen Kittharath,” I was accepted to AFAPS because of that fish nets he promised me,” but” I previously received it as he passed away.”
Pol Gen Kittharath later joined Class 41 of the Royal Police Cadet Academy ( RPCA ).
He joined the police support in February 1988 as a deputy investigator in Rayong’s Muang city.
A quick ascendance
A senior official at Rayong Provincial Station in 1995 suggested that he collaborate as an assistant to the former deputy director of the municipal authorities area, Pol Maj Gen Thawatchai Phaili.
Pol Gen Kittharath rose rapidly through the ranks to assume an executive role at the Royal Thai Police’s (RTP ) headquarters, where, under Pol Gen Jakthip Chaijinda’s management, he excelled in intelligence work.
Being appointed commander of Provincial Police Region 8 during the epidemic followed, before another advertising, this occasion to deputy chief.
Lately, the stand-off between Pol Gen Torsak and his next assistant, Pol Gen Surachate” Big Joke” Hakparn, saw Pol Gen Kittharath serve as acting federal police chief.
Despite reports that Pol Gen Surachate may face money laundering charges in connection with online gaming websites, the federal police commander and his deputy had frequently made headlines.
He claims that Srettha Thavisin’s decision shocked him because he did not want to be drawn into the inner issue.
Pol Gen Kittharath, who was the standing national authorities chief for three months, claims he had not considered becoming the country’s leading police officer.
” At that time, I admitted I felt exhausted because the Royal Thai Police’s image was being eroded]by the reports about the stand-off between Pol Gen Torsak and Pol Gen Surachate ]”.
He also described how stressed out he was after reading but much anger.
But he promised himself, as well as his soldiers and the public, that he would bring about change after the payment approved his appointment as federal police chief.
Determined to use his expert experience and knowledge, he says he is particularly keen to work with non-commissioned and lower-ranking soldiers.
” My father was a former non-commissioned police officer. Therefore, I understand the role of non-commissioned police officials. They make up the majority of the RTP. So we have to take care of them well”, he said.
Serious policies
Once in the best job, he identified 15 essential laws he felt needed to be introduced.
One was actions to support the expat flow while preventing illegal migrant workers.
According to Pol Gen Kittharath, the Immigration Bureau now has more detailed guidelines for cooperating with several departments, including municipal police, provincial forces, and tourist police.
After posing a question about why people turn to online campaigners when dealing with legal problems, like online frauds, he is considering creating a “police influencer.”
” My purpose is that if the idea of creating a policeman influence succeeds, it will develop trust between soldiers and the public”, said Pol Gen Kittharath.
The officers” will become the people’s people’s people can turn to,” he continued.
The Central Investigation Bureau ( CIB ) will serve as the main point of contact for complex or international cases, according to the idea.
” The exemplary investigative team at CIB will work with other groups to improve public trust in the police,” said the statement.
In addition to that, Pol Gen Kitharath claimed that he had given the Foreign Affairs Division the directive to work with local police forces to plan international murder cartels and intelligence exchanges.
” Those violence systems should be available to the RTP,” he said. We need to understand if an immigrant was involved with candidate registration, opioid drug sites, or committed a crime around”, he said.
Pol Gen Kittharath is also keen to combat crime at the urging of the state and is getting both his and his soldiers up to speed on the technology that supports this quickly expanding crime storm.
He has also set the goal of ending the drug industry in the nation at the forefront by working with neighbors to combat opioid trafficking.
” Thailand serves as a shipping place, certainly as a fabrication state. If the reduction efforts succeeds, cocaine does become far too expensive and will not be sold”, he said.
” I often work hard to put my ideas into practice.”