The Royal Thai Police Office (RTPO) on Tuesday insisted that Pol Capt Chanant Chaijinda has been promoted to inspector on merit and not because he is the son of national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda.
Chanant: Rising fast in the force
The RTPO was responding to reports questioning the decision to promote Pol Capt Chanant from sub-inspector to full inspector, and elevating his rank from police captain to police major despite him allegedly being unqualified for the promotions.
It was reported Pol Capt Chanant, the national police chief's eldest son, has served as sub-inspector for less than four years in the Border Patrol Police Bureau.
Regulations require that a police officer must have served at least seven years as a sub-inspector before he or she is eligible for promotion.
The Police Commission stopped short of approving Pol Capt Chanant's promotions because he did not satisfy the criteria, but the issue was referred to the cabinet last year, which reportedly agreed to ignore the minimum service tenure criteria and later gave the green light to Pol Capt Chanant's promotions.
However, it is unclear if the promotions have come into effect.
Pol Maj Gen Decha Kallayawuthipong, commander of the Registration Division, said the promotions complied with the law and Pol Gen Chakthip had nothing to do with them, although he admitted the tenure criteria had not been applied.
Deputy spokesman Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen said Pol Capt Chanant is qualified for the inspector's post as he has passed many combat and tactical training programmes and study courses both in the country and overseas.
"He could have opted for duties in an office but he chose assignments and courses that required tough field work," Pol Col Krissana said.