police commission unanimously
| |

Police Commission Unanimously Endorses Pol Gen Samran Nualma as Next Royal Thai Police Chief

Bangkok – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s nomination of Pol Gen Samran Nualma as the 16th Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) received unanimous backing from the National Police Commission on Wednesday. The 12-0 vote came after more than 90 minutes of deliberation, clearing the way for the veteran officer to assume the top police post.

Pol Gen Samran, popularly known as “Big Rarn,” will take over from the current chief, Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet (“Big Tai”), who is set to retire upon reaching mandatory service age on September 30th, 2026. The smooth, unanimous approval signals strong consensus within the commission.

Born on June 14th, 1973 in Cha-am district of Phetchaburi province, Pol Gen Samran, now 53, comes from humble roots. He attended local schools, including Ton Dluang Wittaya, and was once a temple boy who absorbed values of discipline and humility. He graduated from the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (Class 34) and the Royal Police Cadet Academy (Class 50).

His career began in 1997 as an investigator at Phra Khanong Police Station in Bangkok, where he quickly earned recognition as an outstanding detective. He later gained extensive experience in operations, special units, and VIP protection. Key milestones include commanding the Special Operations Division 191, rising to commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau in 2021 at a notably young age, and serving as Assistant and then Deputy National Police Chief.

Known for his expertise in crime suppression, investigation, and rapid-response operations, Pol Gen Samran has built a reputation as a hands-on leader with both field credibility and academic depth. He holds a master’s degree in political science and has completed advanced training courses in Thailand and abroad, including FBI active-shooter response programs and elite firearms instruction.

With his retirement scheduled for a distant 2036, the incoming chief is expected to bring continuity and renewed focus to policing in the capital and nationwide as he prepares to lead Thailand’s police force into the coming years.

For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.

Similar Posts

  • | | | |

    Dar condemns Houthi attack killing 3 Pakistanis

    ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has condemned a Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea, saying three Pakistani nationals were killed and another was injured in the incident. Dar described the attack as a serious threat to innocent lives and maritime security. He expressed concern over the loss of Pakistani lives in the incident. The foreign minister said the Pakistani government was in contact with relevant Saudi authorities and the Yemeni government to obtain further details about the attack. He also directed Pakistan’s embassy in Riyadh to provide all possible assistance for the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased Pakistanis. The embassy has also been instructed to facilitate the injured Pakistani citizen and ensure that all necessary assistance is provided. The attack reportedly took place near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategically important maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. According to Yemeni government and coast guard sources, Houthi forces attacked a cargo vessel in the area. The attack targeted the deck of the commercial ship. Three crew members were reportedly killed in the assault. The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The waterway is a major international trade route used by cargo vessels travelling between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Pakistan is continuing to coordinate with authorities in Saudi Arabia and Yemen to establish further details about the incident and assist the affected Pakistani nationals and their families.

  • | | |

    Australian Tourist Spends 13 Hours Drinking at Pattaya Bar, Then Refuses to Pay 32,540-Baht Bill

    PATTAYA, Thailand An Australian tourist allegedly spent nearly 13 hours drinking at a beer bar in Pattaya, buying rounds for staff throughout the day, before refusing to settle a bill of more than 32,000 baht after a staff member allegedly refused to go out of the bar with him, causing the bar owner to take […]

  • | |

    Thailand Celebrates the Birthday of His Royal Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn

    Today, July 28th, 2026, the Kingdom of Thailand marks the birthday of His Royal Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, the tenth monarch of the Chakri Dynasty. Born on this day in 1952, His Royal Majesty has served as King since 2016, following in the footsteps of his late father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. […]

  • Maryam Nawaz expresses grief over Baghbanpura roof collapse

    Lahore – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in a roof collapse incident in Baghbanpura. On the chief minister’s directives, the Deputy Commissioner Lahore and other administrative officials immediately reached the site and supervised the rescue operation for several hours. The chief minister closely monitored the rescue operation and received moment-by-moment updates on the situation. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and extended her heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families. Acting on the chief minister’s instructions, arrangements were made for the burial of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. As a precautionary measure, the affected area was sealed off and adjoining houses were evacuated to ensure public safety. A total of 70 Rescue 1122 personnel, equipped with the required machinery and vehicles, participated in the rescue operation. Volunteers from Civil Defence, teams from the Health Department, and personnel from the Suthra Punjab programme also remained present at the site to assist in the emergency response.

  • PML-N accuses Gujrat police of political victimisation after rally FIR

    GUJRAT: A political row has erupted in Gujrat days after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) celebrated its victories in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, with the party accusing the district police of registering what it described as a politically motivated first information report (FIR) against its local leadership. The controversy began after a victory rally organised in the NA-63 constituency, where supporters celebrated PML-N’s electoral success in AJK. During the procession, some participants allegedly resorted to aerial firing. Following the incident, Gujrat Police registered an FIR against around 10 nominated suspects and nearly 30 unidentified persons. Police have also arrested around 10 individuals in connection with the case. Among those named in the FIR is PML-N Gujrat District Coordinator Chaudhry Ali Warraich. The case includes serious offences under Sections 324, 148, 149 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code, in addition to other charges related to the incident. Addressing an emergency press conference, Ali Warraich strongly rejected the allegations and accused the police of acting beyond their legal authority. He alleged that the FIR was registered without a proper inquiry and claimed that officials from City Police Station initiated legal proceedings despite the alleged incident occurring within the jurisdiction of Sadar Police Station. “This action was taken overnight without any transparent investigation. We will challenge this FIR through all available legal forums,” Warraich said. He maintained that only the individual found responsible for aerial firing should face legal consequences, adding that innocent participants should not be implicated. “If any person committed the firing, that individual should be punished according to law, but the rest should not be made scapegoats,” he said, demanding that responsibility be fixed on those directly involved. PML-N District President Nawabzada Tahir-ul-Mulk also condemned the FIR, describing it as political victimisation. “We have always opposed violence and lawlessness in Gujrat. Ironically, today our own workers are being implicated in what appears to be a politically motivated case,” he said. AJK MLA Chaudhry Zeeshan Younas, who recently won the LA-38 Jammu-V seat on the PML-N ticket, expressed solidarity with those booked in the case. “Most of those nominated are our supporters and voters. We will not leave them alone and will provide them every possible legal and political support,” he said. Warraich further alleged that Punjab ministers Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Chaudhry Shafay Hussain exerted pressure on the district administration to register the FIR at the request of PML-Q leader Chaudhry Hussain Elahi. However, no official response was immediately available from the ministers or the PML-Q regarding the allegations. According to PML-N leaders, the FIR is being viewed by many local political observers as a reaction to the party’s electoral gains in AJK, particularly in Gujrat, a district long regarded as a political stronghold of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), which currently has representation in both the federal and Punjab governments. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has reportedly taken notice of the incident and sought a report from the Inspector General of Police, Punjab. Despite repeated attempts by journalists to obtain the police version, Gujrat Police declined to comment on the matter. No official statement explaining the basis of the FIR or the arrests had been issued till the filing of this report.

  • | |

    Polling resumes in Muzaffarabad as AJK elections e…

    Polling is underway at 57 polling stations in Muzaffarabad for two constituencies of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, LA-27 and LA-28, following a one-day delay caused by adverse weather conditions. Voting in the two constituencies was postponed on Sunday after bad weather disrupted the electoral process. Polling has now resumed, with voters turning out to cast their ballots and choose their representatives. Election staff and security personnel have been deployed at the polling stations to facilitate voters and maintain law and order throughout the voting process. The elections are being held in phases across Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to unofficial and preliminary results announced so far, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has won 14 constituencies, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has secured victories in five constituencies. The results remain unofficial until the relevant election authorities complete the formal process and announce the final outcome. The overall electoral picture is expected to become clearer as polling concludes in the remaining constituencies and official results are compiled. The third phase of the elections will take place in the Poonch Division on August 10. The division includes four districts—Rawalakot, Poonch, Bagh and Haveli—and comprises 11 Legislative Assembly constituencies, ranging from LA-14 to LA-24. Political parties are now focusing on the upcoming phase as voters in the Poonch Division prepare to participate in the electoral process. The August 10 polling will mark another key stage in the AJK elections, with the results expected to play an important role in determining the final composition of the Legislative Assembly. Election authorities have urged voters to exercise their right to vote peacefully and follow the established electoral procedures. The final results from all phases will provide a complete picture of the electoral mandate and determine the political balance in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *