Hardliner put in place to flex his muscles at protesters

Metropolitan Police Commander Winai Thongsong and his deputy Wichai Sangprapai were moved to inactive posts at the National Police Bureau for 30 days to pave the way for hardliner Kamronwit Thoupkrachang.
The move is only meant to last until the end of this month, but officers in the inner circle believe the two police officers have no chance of getting their old jobs back. Handling political protests can be difficult for police commanders. Harsh measures can end up with their positions being purged and them having to face severe legal consequences. Many senior police officers were prosecuted for their action against the PAD protest on October 7, 2008, when crowds blocked Parliament to prevent then-premier Somchai Wongsawat’s Cabinet from making its policy statement. Two protesters were killed and many others injured in clashes with anti-riot police.
It is believed that Winai himself did not want to be in charge when things got tough. Therefore, his removal was really a blessing in disguise because it saved him from facing the music if something undesirable happened.
Winai is related to Pojaman na Pombejra, the ex-wife of fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. Apparently, the Shinawatra clan wanted to see Winai as national police chief after Priewpan Damapong retired.
Priewpan, who is Pojaman’s older brother, also wants to bring his service to a smooth end without having to face legal problems after retirement. The police chief will retire at the end of October.
Moving Winai might also prove to be good for Thaksin, because it is believed that the officer was quite independent and never listened to the former PM or his associates, notably Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung.
During an earlier reshuffle in the police ranks, Winai chose his own men instead of including those favoured by Thaksin and Chalerm. Neither Chalerm nor Thaksin were able to do anything to Winai due to his relations with Pojaman. Now, with him gone, Thaksin can choose who he wants to serve him.
This probably explains why Chalerm overlooked Winai and handed the job of controlling the PAD protesters up to police commissioner’s adviser, Worapong Chiewpreecha, who allegedly has good relations with Kamronwit. It is possible that Kamronwit might become Metropolitan Police commander as a reward if he can serve Thaksin well in handling the ongoing protest.
Kamronwit was seen as Chalerm’s “robocop”, who is capable of terminating everything to achieve his goals. He made his name during the war on drugs under Thaksin’s administration and the suppression of insurgents in the deep South when he was Narathiwat police commander. This officer is clearly being used to scare those who want to campaign against the reconciliation law.
Democrat MP Ong-art Klampaiboon and multicoloured-shirt leader Dr Tul Sitthisomwong have been calling on the police to not use violence against protesters.
“Kamronwit is a hawkish cop who tends to use violence against protesters. It’s too dangerous to give him the job,” Ong-art said, urging the national police chief to clearly instruct officers not to use violence against the protesters.
At the moment though, it looks like Kamronwit is using psychological tactics. After taking over, he ordered anti-riot police to conduct exercises every day in preparation for a face-off with the protesters.
Matters in the political ring are heating up as Thaksin and the ruling Pheu Thai Party are raring to push through the reconciliation and charter amendment bills, while the protesters and the opposition are all out to block them. Perhaps, Kamrowit will use this as an excuse to exercise his prowess.