The police chief and the deputy prime minister in charge of security have denied reports of the imminent return of Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn to the police force.
Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda said on Monday it was not possible for Pol Lt Gen Surachate to return to the police force. He had left that career behind him.
The police commander also dismissed the possibility of the former immigration chief returning in the annual reshuffle of officers.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate was in April abruptly transferred from the police force to the civil service, to serve as a special adviser to the Prime Minister's Office. The transfer was under a National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Section 44 dictate to clear the way for an investigation. The allegations against him are still unclear.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Monday also denied the speculation Pol Lt Gen Surachate may return as an assistant to the police chief.
The order under Section 44 on his case remains in force even though the NCPO will be disbanded in the future, he added.