Pol Gen Kitrat, new national police chief

The Police Commission unanimously approved the appointment of Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet as the new national police chief today, succeeding Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol who retired at the end of September.

Pol Gen Kitrat, who has served as the acting police chief since October 1st, was one of the three candidates considered by the Police Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

The other two candidates were Pol Gen Kraiboon Suadsong, the inspector-general, and Pol Gen Thana Chuwong, the deputy national police chief.

An informed police source said there are 12 members of the Police Commission but only nine were allowed to vote because the three others were candidates. Only 8 voted in favour of Kitrat, while the prime minister abstained.

Aged 58, Pol Gen Kitrat will serve in the office until end of September 2026.

He was a member of Class 41 of the Police Academy, a member of Class 61 of the National Defence College and has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the National Institute of Development Administration.

He joined the police service in February in 1988 as a deputy inspector in Rayong’s Mueang district.