PM pulls new NSC chief appointment from meeting agenda: source
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Thursday indefinitely postponed the National Security Council from deliberating on appointing a new NSC chief, according to a source.
The appointment of the new NSC secretary-general was initially put on the agenda for the Thursday meeting, but according to the source Srettha ordered it removed from the agenda before the meeting began on Thursday morning, to the surprise of the NSC councillors. No one spoke against his order, the source added.
According to the source, the NSC was initially scheduled to consider the appointment of a new chief to replace General Sopoj Malaniyom, who retired on September 30.
The source added that Police General Roy Ingkhapairoj, the deputy national police chief, had been proposed as Supoj’s replacement. Roy’s aides have reportedly contacted the administration staff of the NSC to reserve a parking slot for Roy.
Roy was said to be broken-hearted after not being chosen for the post of national police chief in late September despite being considered the most senior deputy police chief. The post was instead awarded to Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, who is considered the least senior among four candidates.
The source said Roy was seen as qualified for the post of NSC chief as he was formerly in charge of security affairs for the Royal Thai Police. If appointed, he would hold C-11 equivalent rank, which would be a promotion for him.
According to the source, the Cabinet has been scheduled to deliberate Roy’s transfer and appointment as the NSC chief on November 7.
Speaking to reporters after the NSC meeting, Srettha, who chaired the meeting, said the NSC did not consider a new chief because legal complications remain that need to be worked out.
Srettha said a new NSC chief would be appointed in about 10 days. There were no conflicts related to the appointment, he added.
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang, who also attended the NSC meeting, said the deliberation regarding a new chief did not proceed because the appointment process was lacking. He declined to elaborate.
Asked whether the issue was related to an unfinished transfer process, Sutin replied, “I don’t know. In the past, it used to be done. There should be no transfer problem.”
Sutin added that the appointment of the new NSC chief could be first sent for Cabinet approval before being returned to the NSC for endorsement.
