Cha-am native named Thailand’s next police chief
Thailand national police chief hails from Cha-am
A Cha-am native has been named Thailand’s incoming national police chief, giving the area a direct connection to one of the country’s most senior public offices.
Police General Samran Nuanma, who was born in Bang Kao subdistrict, Cha-am district, was selected as the 16th Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police on 22 July 2026.
The Police Commission voted unanimously, 12–0, to appoint him as successor to Police General Kitrat Phanphet, who is due to retire on 30 September. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Four senior officers were considered for the post.
From Cha-am to Thailand’s national police chief
Police General Samran Nuanma
Police General Samran, 53, was born on 14 June 1973. He attended the 34th class of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and the 50th class of the Royal Police Cadet Academy.
He holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in political science from Ramkhamhaeng University and is studying for a law degree at Thammasat University.
His police career began in 1997 as a deputy investigation inspector at Phra Khanong Police Station. He later worked at Thong Lor Police Station before spending much of his career with the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Patrol and Special Operations Division, commonly known as the 191 Police.
He became superintendent of Don Mueang Police Station in 2012 and commander of the Patrol and Special Operations Division in 2018. He was appointed Metropolitan Police Commissioner in 2021, Assistant Commissioner-General in 2022 and Deputy Commissioner-General in October 2025.
His operational record includes work with the Arintaraj 26 special operations unit during the 2020 Terminal 21 shooting in Nakhon Ratchasima, security operations during unrest at Bangkok’s Din Daeng intersection and investigations into explosive devices found in southern tourist provinces in 2025.
He has also overseen operations targeting transnational crime, civil registration fraud and major drug networks.
Police General Samran has said his priorities will include tackling transnational crime, improving police welfare and using technology to strengthen public safety.
He is not due to retire until 2033, giving him the longest remaining period of service among the senior officers considered for the post.
