Political Turmoil Continues Following Shake-up of Police Department

The national police chief resigned and Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva replaced him just days after an anti-graft body held the officer responsible for clashes between protesters and police last year

The Red Shirts who support ousted Prime Minister Thaksin and the Yellow Shirts who support the current government have been tugging at the Thai economy and creating havoc in the political arena. As Thailand's current coalition government is starting to settle in and be productive, the third anniversary of Thaksin's ouster has fueled the fire of the Red Shirt movement.

"Most foreigners visiting and living in Thailand just want a democratic government for the people with all Thais wearing Red, White and Blue shirts symbolizing the unity of Thailand represented by its flag, rather than divided into Red Shirt and Yellow Shirt camps. With all the civility and politeness of Thai culture foreigners are confused by all the fighting," said Drew Noyes, the chairman of the first expatriate club in Thailand and founder of the first Optimist club in Thailand.

The Yellow Shirts blockaded Bangkok's airports last year, leading to the fall of the pro-Thaksin government of the time and contributed to the current problem of low tourist arrivals.

The Thai Prime Minister has accused General Patcharawat, the younger brother of defense minister Prawit Wongsuwan, of obstructing an investigation into the attempted assassination of the leader of the "Yellow Shirt" movement in April..

The National Anti-Corruption Commission ruled on that General Patcharawat Wongsuwan violated criminal law during a crackdown on anti-Thaksin "Yellow Shirt" demonstrators who surrounded parliament in October 2008.

Abhisit had shifted General Patcharawat to a government desk job, in the latest installment in Thailand's political turmoil since billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted as premier in a 2006 military coup.

General Patcharawat handed in his resignation to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva just hours after the premier shifted him to a desk job, following months of trying to remove the senior policeman.

But his resignation is likely to create tensions between the police force and the government during the major protest by supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

"The case of Patcharawat may create a loophole and confusion, so to prevent such a scenario I will sign the order transferring the national police chief to Government House," Abhisit told reporters.

"During that time I will appoint General Thanee Somboonsup as acting national police chief," he said.

Abhisit has been at odds with his allies in the ruling coalition over the appointment of a new chief to replace General Patcharawat, who was set to retire late this month anyway, and had already tried several times to move him.

General Patcharawat was briefly moved to government house in December during the Yellow Shirt airport standoff because of his refusal to take on the protesters, but was later reinstated as police chief.

Thailand faces possible further unrest as the pro- Thaksin "Red Shirts" marked the third anniversary of the coup with a mass rally on September 19.

"I have submitted my resignation letter to the PM, I want to take a rest," Patcharawat told reporters. "I have served as a police officer for a long time; I have 21 days left before I retire."

The government is now likely to have fears about the commitment of the government police forces to tackling protests by pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts." Thaksin himself is a former policeman.