After six months in office, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin may actually enjoy public applause for exercising his leadership by stepping into a high-profile rift between national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol and his deputy, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn after their dispute greatly tarnished the reputation of the Royal Thai Police (RTP).
Both officers were subsequently transferred to inactive posts at Government House, pending a probe to be carried by former interior permanent secretary Chatchai Promlert, former deputy attorney-general Chatipong Jiraphan and former deputy police chief Pol Gen Winai Thongsong. The prime minister appointed Pol Gen Kitrat Panphet, deputy police chief, as the acting national police chief.
The row between Pol Gen Torsak and Pol Gen Surachate is seen as an internal affair within the RTP. It is not a secret that both were archrivals, as they vied fiercely for the position of RTP chief last September.
Both have spectacular profiles. The former, who was the least senior among all the candidates when he won approval for the top RTP job, is the younger brother of ACM Satitpong Sukvimol, His Majesty the King's private secretary.
The second-most-senior candidate, Pol Gen Surachate, also known as "Big Joke", has strong connections with several political figures, including ex-junta "big brother" Gen Prawit Wongsuwon. He has also enjoyed life on the promotional fast track. Big Joke indeed is one of the few young generals in the RTP, and it is said he could eventually become the RTP chief, in lieu of any serious scandals.
Lest we forget, just two days before the Police Commission met to name the RTP chief last year, there emerged allegations that Pol Gen Surachate might have been involved with the online gambling website BNK Master Network and tied to money laundering. He strongly denied the claim, describing it as foul play. As Pol Gen Surachate was busy clearing himself, Pol Gen Torsak, who is set to retire this September, won approval for the RTP chief position.
After his appointment, the rift seemed to have faded -- for a short time. However a new round of the conflict erupted as a team of lawyers representing Pol Gen Surachate accused officers in his rival's team of taking kickbacks from another gambling network to which Pol Gen Surachate was allegedly linked.
That was followed by a series of spats between the two archrivals.
Given his young age, with seven years left in police service, Pol Gen Surachate could still fulfil his ambition to climb to the top RTP position. Such an ambition is not unrealistic if we look at his extraordinary connections, particularly his bonds with the family of Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, the former wife of Thaksin Shinawatra, strongman of the Pheu Thai Party.
His father, Snr Sgt Maj Sawai, was the long-time driver of Khunying Potjaman's father, Pol Lt Gen Samer Damapong.
Observers regard Pol Gen Surachate's presence in Chiang Mai to welcome Thaksin, together with several state officers, last week as an attempt to stay high up in the RTP due to his connections.
Now it's the duty of the new team of investigators to dig deep and find the facts surrounding the archrivals' various counterclaims. Former deputy police chief Pol Gen Winai Thongsong, who sits on the probe panel, promised it would not be a token effort. The panel is required to report its progress to the PM every two weeks until it completes its task in 60 days.
While investigating their conflict is welcome, Mr Srettha could have done better by adding members of civil society and other experts to the panel as a way to ensure transparency.
Over the years, the RTP has been riddled with graft, extortion, position buying and other scandals. One involved the killing of a respected officer who joined a party arranged by an influential kamnan in Nakhon Pathom with his colleagues last September. After the shooting, some officers helped the kamnan escape. The case showed the patron-client ties between police and influential persons involved in shady businesses.
There is no need for further proof that efforts to reform the police have been a flop as public trust has plummeted. Mr Srettha should prove that, unlike his predecessors, he can clean the agency up. If successful, he will have done the country a great service.