The Police Commission on Monday shook up southern police ranks to pave the way for investigation into the trafficking of Rohingya Muslim migrants.
The reshuffling of 31 police colonels resulted from a resolution adopted at Monday's commission meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.
The reshuffled positions included those of deputy provincial police commanders, police station chiefs, immigration police commanders and investigative, anti-human trafficking and marine police chiefs in Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phangnga, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla and Surat Thani provinces.
National police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang said the shakeup affected police officers involved in the trafficking of Rohingya migrants.
Gen Prawit also confirmed that warrants were issued for the arrest of three army officers and one naval officer under the Internal Security Operations Command who allegedly are involved with trafficking.
