On the way out?

From the look on National police chief Wichean Potephosree's face yesterday, he looked like he realised he had little chance of keeping his position.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is escorted by national police chief Wichean Potephosree to a Police Commission meeting at the Royal Thai Police Office yesterday. It was the first time Ms Yingluck has visited the office since taking up the premiership. APICHART JINAKUL

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Chalerm holds sword over Wichean's head

POST REPORTERS

National police chief Wichean Potephosree will likely be removed from his position in a week, according to Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung.

Pol Capt Chalerm, who is supervising the Royal Thai Police, said he would have to make certain adjustments in the national force to "put the right men in the right jobs."

"Pol Gen Wichean has been the national police chief for almost a year," he said. "But now there are gambling dens around the country."

Pol Gen Wichean has been police chief since Sept 2, 2010.

Pol Capt Chalerm added that there are horse racing slot machines everywhere in the casinos and police collect a 50,000 baht bribe per machine. Some gambling dens import casino equipment from Hong Kong, Macau and South Korea, while the police have enjoyed lucrative kickbacks. Those in the police force are well aware of it, he alleged.

Pol Capt Chalerm said he did not say the gambling problem was due to Pol Gen Wichean's mismanagement, but someone must be held responsible.

"It is impossible that a large casino can open in the heart of Bangkok and top-ranking police officers are not aware of it and do not give a nod to the casino operator," he said.

He added that "it's likely" that a new police chief will be seen in seven days. Several senior police officers are qualified to be the next national police chief, including deputy police chief Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong, brother of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's ex-wife Potjaman na Pombejra.

Another is Pol Gen Panupong Singhara na Ayutthaya, a deputy police chief, he said.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra confirmed yesterday that Pol Capt Chalerm had been given the green light to have the final say on the police chief position.

Ms Yingluck, who chairs the Police Commission, presided over the commission's meeting for the first time yesterday. She took 15 minutes to speak about general policy to the commissioners before leaving the meeting to Pol Capt Chalerm.

She said after the meeting the commission had not discussed a reshuffle of police ranks, including the police chief position.

"Pol Capt Chalerm will be the one handling the issue," she said.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday warned Pol Capt Chalerm over the possible transfer of the police chief, saying that any move should be carried out fairly and straightforwardly without a hidden agenda.

"The national police chief should not be a political position," he said. "The officer in this post should not be changed at the same time as the government."

escort – to go with someone คุ้ม
commission – an official group of people who have been given responsibility to control something, or to find out about something, usually for the government  commission คณะกรรมการ, คณะกรรมาธิการ
premiership – the position of prime minister นายกรัฐมนตรี
sword – a weapon with a short handle and a long sharp blade ดาบ
remove – to take someone/something away เอาออกจาก
deputy – a person whose rank is immediately below that of the leader of an organisation รอง
supervise – to be in charge of an activity and to check that everything is being done correctly  ดูแล ควบคุม
adjustment – a change in something that makes it better, more accurate, or more effective การปรับเปลี่ยน
gambling – the activity of betting money, for example in a game or on a horse race การพนัน
den – a place where people meet in secret, especially for some illegal or immoral activity บ่อน
slot machine – a gambling machine that you put coins into and that gives money back if particular pictures appear together on the screen เครื่องหยอดเหรียญสำหรับเล่นพนัน
bribe – money or a present given to someone so that they will help you doing something dishonest or illegal สินบน
import – to buy or bring in products from another country นำเข้า
lucrative – earning a lot of money ที่มีกำไรงาม
kickback – an amount of money that is paid to someone illegally in exchange for secret help or work เงินสินบน, เงินใต้โต๊ะ
aware – knowing that something exists, or having knowledge or experience of a particular thing ทราบ
allege – to say that something is true or that someone has done something wrong, even though this has not been proved  กล่าวหา
due to – because of เนื่องจาก
mismanagement – organising or controlling something badly การจัดการผิด
responsible – deserving to be blamed for something that has happened มีความรับผิดชอบ
top-ranking – of the highest rank, status or importance in an organisation, a sport, etc ตำแหน่งสูงสุด, ยศสูงสุด
give a nod to – to give permission for something; to agree to something อนุญาต, อนุมัติ, ยินยอม
operator – a person or company that runs a business ผู้ดำเนินกิจการทางธุรกิจ, ผู้ประกอบธุรกิจ
senior – with a high rank or position อาวุโส
qualified – able to do something, because you have the knowledge, skill, or experience that is needed มีคุณวุฒิเหมาะสม, มีคุณสมบัติ
ousted – forced out of a position of power ขับออกจากอำนาจ
chair – to be the person in charge of a meeting, committee, or company ดำรงตำแหน่งประธาน, ทำหน้าที่ในฐานะประธาน
preside – to be in charge of a ceremony, official meeting, or other event เป็นประธานในพิธี
policy – a set of plans or action agreed on by a government, political party, business, or other group นโยบาย
reshuffle – the process of changing the jobs or responsibilities of people in a particular group or organisation การปรับหรือโยกย้ายตำแหน่งคนในองค์กร
issue – matter; a subject that people discuss or argue about  ประเด็น
transfer – to change someone’s job or responsibilities โยกย้ายตำแหน่ง
straightforward – clear and honest ตรงไปตรงมา
hidden agenda – a secret reason for doing something because you will get an advantage from it เบื้องหน้าเบื้องหลัง
post – a job in a company or organisation ตำแหน่งการงาน