Patcharawat returns as police chief

Top Democrats were forced on Saturday to deny that a reported donation of 80 million baht to his Democrat party influenced his choice of cabinet ministers.

Pol Gen Patcharawat was removed to the Prime Minister's Office on November 28 during the administration of ex-prime minister Somchai Wongsawat. The Royal Thai Police inspector-general, Pol Gen Prateep Tanprasert, was then appointed as the caretaker police chief.

According to the order, Pol Gen Patcharawat has completed the works at the Prime Minister's Office and he will return to the police commissioner's post to raise the efficiency of police performance.

He said his reinstatement was not related to the appointment of his older brother, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, as the new defence minister.

On the measures to cope with the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters when the government delivers its policy statement to the parliament., Pol Gen Patcharawat said the police will continue to be tolerant and try to negotiate with them. The police will not harm the public, he insisted.