Choice to succeed Damrongsak was fourth in seniority among contenders for the position
PUBLISHED : 27 Sep 2023 at 17:44
The Police Commission has appointed deputy police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol as the new national police chief, succeeding Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas.
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, began at 2pm on Wednesday. At 4.28pm, the commission resolved to appoint Pol Gen Torsak, the 14th national police chief, succeeding Pol Gen Damrongsak, who retires on Sept 30.
Pol Gen Torsak was fourth in seniority among the four contenders for the job.
The other candidates were Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote, the most senior, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the second-most senior, and Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, the third.
Pol Gen Torsak was strongly tipped for the position following the high-profile search of houses occupied by Pol Gen Surachate, known as “Big Joke”. There had been some speculation earlier that a decision on the new chief might be postponed in light of the events involving Pol Gen Surachate.
A high-profile officer who rose to fame in the Crime Suppression Division, Pol Gen Torsak also served as commander of the Police Royal Guards 904 Division before becoming a deputy chief of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). He became the CIB chief and was named an assistant police chief before being promoted to deputy chief.
The Police Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Sretha Thavisin, resolves to appoint Pol Gen Torak Sukvimol the new national police chief. (Pool Photo)