Somyot ‘yet to decide’ on entering politics
Former national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung admitted on Friday that he had been approached by many political parties to join them but he would make a decision on entering politics “at the right time”.
Somyot, who is also chief of the Thai football association, resigned on Thursday as a member of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) amid reports that he might enter the political fray in the next election.
Somyot on Friday did not deny rumours that he would join politics. “I know politics and politicians very well. I’m reliable. I love my clans and friends. I can get along well with every party but the right time [to decide] has yet to come,” he said.
“If I were a lady, I would be a beautiful woman who attracts many people, both old and new [parties],” he said.
Somyot said he had quit the NLA because he had to travel abroad often for international meetings as president of the Football Association of Thailand.
The former national police chief made headlines last month when he admitted to borrowing Bt300 million from a wanted brothel tycoon Kampol Wirathepsuporn.
Somyot was questioned by the Department of Special Investigation later about borrowing money from Kampol while in police office. Kampol, the owner of the notorious Victoria’s Secret Massage parlour, is now wanted for running large-scale brothels in the guise of massage parlours and is also suspected of being involved in at least 12 human-trafficking cases.
Somyot claimed he had already repaid Kampol through land and cash.
The former police chief said he and Kampol had been friends for a long time and also did some business together.