The Police Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, has selected Deputy National Police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol as the new head of the nation’s police force, replacing Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat, who is set to retire at the end of this month.

The selection of the new police chief that was initially the last item on the meeting’s agenda, but it was moved to the top. Pol General Torsak, who retires next year, is the most junior of the deputies, being the most recent to be appointed.

The other candidates were Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote and Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet. Surachate and Roy did not attend the meeting.

The vote was held after Torsak and Kittirat, as candidates for the position, were invited to leave the room. Torsak won with 4 of the 5 member committee voting for him.

Roy, who is also due to retire next year, is tipped to become the National Security Council’s chief, the same rank as the national police chief.

Kittirat is due to retire in 2026, while Surachate still has eight years to go before reaching retirement age.

However a police spokesman declined to confirm the report, pending royal approval.