Priewpan could hold cabinet post : Chalerm
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said outgoing National Police chief Priewpan Damapong was qualified to join the Cabinet in light of his experience in drug suppression.
Chalerm was responding to speculation that Priewpan might be included in the Cabinet in the upcoming reshuffle. However, Chalerm said he could not comment on a Cabinet reshuffle and it would be up to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to make any decision.
Priewpan said yesterday he was willing to take charge of the anti-drug job but did not care for other duties such as overlooking the Royal Thai Police.
Pol General Priewpan is an older brother of Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, ex-wife of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Priewpan, who was police drug-suppression chief in 2000, made his name during the Thaksin government’s war on drugs. From being 5th assistant police chief, Priewpan jumped to become deputy chief. Critics claimed at the time that his rise was because of his relationship with Thaksin.
Priewpan was removed from the post of deputy police chief after the 2006 coup, but returned to the job in 2008 during the Samak Sundaravej government.
In 2010, Priewpan was very close to the top police post but then-prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva decided to give the post to General Wichean Potephosree. But in 2011, Priewpan was appointed National Police chief by the Yingluck Cabinet, one year before his retirement.
