The Ombudsman has been asked to investigate whether the chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau breached professional ethics in accepting a monthly payment of 50,000 baht from giant whisky distiller Thai Beverage Plc (ThaiBev).
Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution, filed the petion at the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday.
He said afterwards that Pol Lt Gen Sanit Mahathavorn might have violated the Royal Thai Police code of conduct and ethics of 2008, the Prime Minister's Office regulation of 2008 regarding ethics of political office holders, and the National Anti-Corruption Act of 1989.
The payments were revealed in Pol Lt Gen Sanit's list of assets and liabilities he recently declared to the National Anti-Corruption Committee (NACC) as a new member of the National legislative Assembly (NLA). The record shows he began receiving the monthly stipend, as an adviser, last year.
Mr Srisuwan said since ThaiBev's business involves production and sale of alcoholic drinks, which are subject to controls under the Alcoholic Drinks Act of 2008, Pol Lt Gen Sanit might have a conflict of interest in receiving a monthly payment from the firm in his capacity as an adviser.
He said Pol Lt Gen Sanit should resign as chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and from the NLA.
The Ombudsman should also investigate whether any other government officials or holders of political office had been hired by ThaiBev as advisers, said Mr Srisuwan.
Thawin Inchamnong, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Ombudsman, said the petition had been received for consideration.