Attention focuses on Prime Minister proposing Police General Samran Nuanma to advance as the 16th National Police Chief, as political factions desire a younger leader with a longer remaining service period to carry forward important state policies, supported by his reputation and proven track record.
On 20 July 2026, at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters, reports stated that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also Chair of the Police Commission, presided over a special Police Commission meeting to consider nominating a National Police Chief to succeed Police General Kittirat Phanphet, who will retire on 30 September.
The Police Commission committee consists of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul as Chair, Police General Kittirat Phanphet as National Police Chief, Deputy Chiefs Police Generals Thana Chuwong, Kornchai Klaiklueng, Niran Lueamsri, Thatchai Pitanilabut, Samran Nuanma, and Ittipol Atchariya Prasit; also included are Police Inspector General Piyawat Sirirak as Secretary of the Civil Service Commission and Aonfa Vetchachiva as Secretary of the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission.
The committee of experts includes Police Commission members Police Generals Winai Thongsong, Manu Mekmork (former Deputy National Police Chief), Rungroj Saengkram (former Deputy National Police Chief), Chatchai Promlert (former Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry), Pratit Santipraphop (former Vice President of Assumption University), and Dr. Supachai Yawaprapat, Dean of the Institute of Public Administration and Public Policy at Rangsit University.
Reports indicate that four Deputy National Police Chiefs qualify for nomination as National Police Chief, ranked by seniority: Police General Niran Lueamsri (senior rank 1), Police General Thatchai Pitanilabut (rank 2), Police General Samran Nuanma (rank 3), and Police General Ittipol Atchariya Prasit (rank 4). During the Prime Minister’s nomination, these four must leave the meeting and have no voting rights. The remaining 12 members in the meeting, including the Chair and Police Commission members, will vote. The Chair will abstain unless there is a tie, in which case the Chair casts the deciding vote.
Reports suggest that the Prime Minister is expected to nominate Police General Samran Nuanma, the third most senior Deputy National Police Chief, as the 16th National Police Chief. The political side prefers a younger Chief with sufficient remaining service time to continue key state policies. Police General Samran’s distinguished career includes continuous work at police stations, serving as Commander of Division 191 and Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau. He has led key operational units responsible for security and protection duties and has notable achievements in drug suppression, a core government policy.
It is currently anticipated that the Prime Minister will submit this nomination to the Police Commission meeting for approval. Any discussions regarding seniority will be internal matters within the Police Commission meeting.