Royal Thai Police

Royal Thai Police
สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ
Official Seal
Official Seal
Coat of Arms (cap badge)
Coat of Arms (cap badge)
Flag of the Royal Thai Police
Flag of the Royal Thai Police
AbbreviationRTP
Agency overview
Formed1860 (164 years)
Jurisdictional structure
National agencyThailand
Operations jurisdictionThailand
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersPathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand
Police officers230,000[1][2]
Minister responsible
Agency executive
Bureaus
12
Regional Bureaus
9
Website
www.royalthaipolice.go.th

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) (Thai: สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ; RTGS: samnakngan tamruat haeng chat) is the national police force of Thailand. The RTP employs between 210,700 and 230,000 officers, roughly 17 percent of all civil servants (excluding the military and the employees of state-owned enterprises).[2][3] The RTP is frequently recognized as the fourth armed force of Thailand since their tradition, concept, culture, skill, and training are relatively similar to the army and most of their officer cadets need to graduate from the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School before entering the Royal Thai Police Cadet Academy. Officers also undergo paramilitary training similar to the army but with an additional focus on law enforcement.[4]

In regard to who is chief: as of 24 June 2024, the prime minister "has yet to approve Torsak's reinstatement.[5] Earlier that month, media said that Torsak Sukvimol has been reinstated as national police chief.[6] Earlier (20 March 2024), Kitrat Panphet became acting police chief; however, Torsak Sukvimol is still the police chief while having been transferred to an inactive post at the primeminister's office; on the day of the transfer, Torsak Sukvimol was in a meeting with the prime minister.[7] As of 21 March, Police General Winai Thongsong "said [...] that he still could not confirm if the investigation would finish within the assigned 60 days or before the retirement of" Torsak Sukvimol in September.[8]

Kitrat Panphet is the commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police, appointed in October 2024.[9][10]

  1. ^ "Thailand / Asia & South Pacific / Member countries / Internet / Home - INTERPOL". www.interpol.int. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b Saelawong, Tippatrai; Chatinakrob, Thanapat (24 February 2016). "How to boost confidence in the police". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  3. ^ "Thailand Royal Thai Police". Interpol. Retrieved 3 Apr 2015.
  4. ^ ฐานเศรษฐกิจ (2023-10-17). ""วันตำรวจ" 163 ปี จากกองโปลิส กรมตำรวจ สู่ "สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ"". thansettakij (in Thai). Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  5. ^ https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2816425/kingdoms-top-cops-set-poor-example?tbref=hp. Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-06-24
  6. ^ https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2814586/police-chief-torsak-reinstated-says-wissanu. Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-06-20
  7. ^ Police chief Torsak, deputy Surachate transferred to inactive posts. Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-03-20
  8. ^ PM transfers police chief, deputy for "justice". Bangkok Post. 2024-03-21. Retrieved 2024-03-21
  9. ^ https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2882217/king-endorses-kitrat-as-national-police-chief?tbref=hp. Retrieved 2024-10-12. "His Majesty issued a royal command ordering Pol Gen Kitrat to ... take up the position as national police chief. The appointment took effect on Oct"
  10. ^ https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2879191/kitrat-appointed-as-national-police-chief?tbref=hp. Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-08