Embattled cop to be reinstated
published : 2 Oct 2021 at 04:00
newspaper section: News
writer: Wassayos Ngamkham
The Administrative Court has overturned an order removing Pol Gen Wirachai Songmetta as deputy police chief and called for his benefits to be reinstated.
Wirachai: Wins in court
The senior police officer was fired in August last year following an order issued by the Prime Minister's Office which was reportedly linked to a leaked audio clip of a phone call that supposedly damaged the force's reputation.
He was at odds with former national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda over the call leaked on Jan 9 last year.
In the clip, Pol Gen Chakthip allegedly ordered Pol Gen Wirachai to steer clear of a shooting probe.
Pol Gen Wirachai was transferred and faced criminal and disciplinary investigations.
He fought back by petitioning the Administrative Court and filing a lawsuit against a group of eight police officers he accused of malfeasance over their role in a probe against him.
In July, the court granted him an injunction over the removal order, enabling him to return to work at the Royal Thai Police headquarters. On Thursday, the court revoked the PM's Office removal order and said that all benefits should be restored to Pol Gen Wirachai as if he had never been removed from his post.
