Police chief Wichean 'agrees to step down'

National police chief Wichean Potephosree has agreed to step down and may accept the top post at the Tourism and Sports Ministry, a source says.

The national police chief is believed to have made the decision on Tuesday night after lengthy negotiations with government officials, the source said.
It was reported that Pol Gen Wichean was offered the permanent secretary post shortly after the July 3 election to pave the way for deputy police chief Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong, the brother of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's ex-wife Potjaman na Pombejra, to take the top police post.
Pol Gen Wichean was said to have declined the permanent secretary job, believing he would be protected by the National Police Act of 2004 which prevents political interference in the transfers of police officers.
The police chief had been in the hot seat after Rak Thailand Party list MP Chuvit Kamolvisit went public with a video tape showing gambling inside an unknown den that he said was on Ratchadaphisek Soi 18, which is under the Sutthisan police station's jurisdiction.
In an interview yesterday, Pol Gen Wichean said he was willing to step down if his supervisor considered him to be unfit for the job.
But he expressed regret that the casino scandal has discredited the police force placing pressure on him to resign.
"If they think I am unfit [for the national police chief post] and should do something else, I will go. But there should be a reasonable excuse. Any attempts to discredit the organisation must stop.
"Nothing is happening right now. But the way they cast a net over the police force gives a bad name to officers who are dedicated to the job," he said.
On Monday Pol Gen Wichean seemed unperturbed at the prospect of losing his job. But fierce criticism of him over the gambling dens in Bangkok by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung intensified speculation that his head would soon roll.
Pol Gen Wichean insisted yesterday he had done a fairly good job as the national police chief.
Maintaining that he had done nothing wrong, Pol Gen Wichean said the new post must allow him to retain his dignity and also be suitable for him.
Mr Chalerm said yesterday adjustments would be made within the police force including the police chief's job.
But he denied he had pressured Pol Gen Wichean to quit.
The deputy prime minister also denied having anything to do with a person, identified by the initials por thor or PT, said to have been involved in the opening of a gambling den on Rama 3 Road.
"I am saying this for the last time. I will put the right man in the right job. I will try to make it better and ensure accountability," he said.