BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s Police Commission has approved a major annual reshuffle covering senior officers from deputy national police chief and Inspector-General down to provincial police commander level, following a meeting that lasted nearly nine hours. The Police Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, met at the Royal Thai Police headquarters on August 28 to consider appointments for the 2026 annual rotation. The meeting began at 2.30 p.m. and concluded at around 11 p.m.
The reshuffle follows a preliminary selection process chaired by National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet on August 23. That committee reportedly spent more than 19 hours reviewing candidates before submitting its recommendations to the Police Commission for final approval.
Anutin attended the meeting at the outset but left at around 5.57 p.m., after nearly three hours, handing the chairmanship to Kittirat. The prime minister briefly told reporters that the appointments had proceeded smoothly and followed the established criteria.
Anutin later returned to the headquarters at around 9 p.m. as discussions continued over several positions that had yet to be finalised. The meeting eventually concluded at 11 p.m. The reshuffle includes senior positions ranging from deputy national police chief and Inspector-General to commanders and deputy commanders at various levels.
Reports indicated that four provincial police commanders who had held their positions for four years were considered for promotion. Around five to six officers were reportedly selected, accounting for about 5% of the vacant positions at the commander level. The appointments are part of the Royal Thai Police’s annual personnel rotation aimed at filling senior posts and adjusting command structures across the force.
