As former murder suspect Duang Yubamrung was admitted to the police force yesterday, news emerged of another police force admission which recalls Pol Lt Duang's turbulent past.
Pol Lt Duang Yubamrung, the youngest son of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, reports to the Metropolitan Police Bureau for his first day of work yesterday. He was transferred from the Defence Ministry and had his rank changed from army lieutenant to police lieutenant. CHANAT KATANYU
The son of a man whom Pol Lt Duang was once accused of murdering has been accepted to the force under a special recruitment programme, the Royal Thai Police announced yesterday.
Kittisak Rodwimut, the son of Pol Snr Sgt Maj Suwichai Rodwimut _ who was murdered in a nightclub shooting 11 years ago _ has been working in a police position at the Police General Hospital since May, police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Piya Utayo said.
Mr Kittisak, who holds a bachelors degree in science, was accepted into the police force under a recruitment programme offered to the descendants of deceased police officers.
The announcement of his recruitment came yesterday, the same day the former prime suspect in his father's murder, Pol Lt Duang, also reported for work at the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
Pol Lt Duang reported for duty with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Pol Lt Gen Kumronwit Toopkrajang.
The youngest of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung's three sons, Pol Lt Duang sought a transfer himself from the army to the police force, where he has been assigned to work as a shooting instructor.
He was told by his superiors to work diligently, be disciplined and study the responsibilities and duties of the police, which differ from those of the army.
Pol Lt Duang's transfer to the police force has attracted criticism in many quarters.
His father, Mr Chalerm, who is also in charge of the national police force, denied any involvement in the transfer.
Pol Lt Duang, formerly known as Duangchalerm, was dismissed from the military following his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of a police officer during a brawl in a nightclub on Ratchadaphisek Road on Oct 29, 2001.
He fled to Malaysia to escape arrest. He was later removed from his post and stripped of his rank after a military inquiry found him guilty of disregarding an order to report for work within 15 days and for avoiding a criminal investigation.
Mr Duang eventually surrendered himself to the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur in May 2002 to fight the charge of murdering Pol Snr Sgt Maj Suwichai.
He was later acquitted of the murder charge by the Criminal Court on grounds of insufficient evidence and conflicting witness accounts.
Mr Duang was later reinstated for military service by the late prime minister Samak Sundaravej.