Somyot Poompanmoung (Thai: สมยศ พุ่มพันธุ์ม่วง; RTGS: Somyot Phumphanmuang; born 27 December 1954) is a former commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police[1][2][3][4] and former president of the Football Association of Thailand.[5]
Police General Somyot Poompanmoung สมยศ พุ่มพันธุ์ม่วง | |
|---|---|
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| President of Football Association of Thailand | |
| In office 11 February 2016 – 8 February 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Worawi Makudi |
| Succeeded by | Nualphan Lamsam |
| Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police | |
| In office 1 October 2014 – 30 September 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Adul Sangsingkeo |
| Succeeded by | Chakthip Chaijinda |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 December 1954 Ayutthaya, Thailand |
| Political party | Bhumjaithai Party |
| Spouse | Potjaman Poompanmoung |
| Alma mater | Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School Royal Thai Police Cadet Academy |
| Profession |
|
Career
editThe National Police Policy Committee, on 20 August 2014, promoted Somyot to be the tenth Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, replacing Pol. Gen. Adul Sangsingkeo who was removed from the office by National Council for Peace and Order on 24 May 2014.[6]
Somyot retired as the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police from 1 October 2015.[7]
Member of National Legislative Council
editFollowing the military coup of 22 May 2014, Somyot was appointed to the National Legislative Council (NLC). Members are required to reveal their assets and properties to determine if they are "unusually rich". Somyot and his wife's net worth was reported to be about 355 million baht (roughly US$11 million).[8] One government critic said that this raised "...questions about how a lifelong career in the public service could have made him a millionaire."[9]
President of Football Association of Thailand
edit
On 11 February 2016, Somyot was elected the new president of the Football Association of Thailand. On 3 June 2019, he was appointed as Asian Football Confederation Executive Committee Member to represent the ASEAN Football Federation.[10]
On February 8, 2024, Somyot declared his departure from the presidency of the Football Association. Having served in the role since 2016, totaling 8 years, his tenure had reached the limit of two terms. Opting not to vie for reelection for a third term, Somyot made this decision upon learning that Thai politician and businesswoman Nualphan Lamsam would be contesting against him for the presidency of the Football Association.[11][12]
Victoria's Secret loan
editIn 2018, Somyot publicly declared that he had borrowed 300 million baht from the fugitive owner of the Victoria's Secret Massage parlour while serving as national police chief in 2014 and 2015. Somyot's admission came after the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) revealed that its Victoria's Secret investigation found that the money trail of the business's owner, Kampol Wirathepsuporn, led to the former police chief. When asked why he borrowed so much money from Mr Kampol, he answered that his police job was a sideline career and he needed the funds for his other businesses, including a stock trading firm.[13] Somyot did not report the loans in his assets declaration submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission as required during his term in office.[8]
Wichian Klanprasert case
editOn 29 August 2024, Somyot was indicted along with seven others for their role in tampering with evidence related to the death of Wichian Klanprasert, particularly in the altering of the recorded speed of the Ferrari used by the suspect, Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya.[14]
Awards
edit
The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
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References
edit- ^ ""ชัดเจน โผงผาง คนจริง"พล.ต.อ.สมยศ พุ่มพันธุ์ม่วง".
- ^ "Bangkok shrine bombing: Thai police hunt for suspect seen in video". CNN. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
- ^ "Four arrested over death camp grave sites". Phuket Gazette. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ Ngamkham, Wassayos (2014-08-20). "Pol Gen Somyot chosen as new police chief". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
- ^ "บิ๊กอ๊อด" ประกาศอำลานายกบอลไทย ขอบคุณทุกภาคส่วนซัพพอร์ตมา 8 ปีเต็ม
- ^ 'สมยศ พุ่มพันธุ์ม่วง' ผงาดนั่ง ผบ.ตร.คนใหม่ (ชมคลิป)
- ^ "สมยศ" ส่งมอบ ผบ.ตร. "จักรทิพย์" มั่นใจพา สตช. ก้าวหน้า
- ^ a b Laohong, King-Oua (12 May 2018). "Somyot cash eyed after parlour raid". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
- ^ Chachavalpongpun, Pavin (2014-10-12). "Thai Junta Beset By Corruption Scandals". The Diplomat. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ "AFC Certification, Pol. Gen. Dr. Somyot is the Executive Committee".
- ^ สมยศ ฝากสิ่งสุดท้ายถึงนายกสมาคมฟุตบอลคนใหม่ ก่อนลาตำแหน่ง 8 ปี
- ^ สิ้นสุดวาระ 8 ปี การทำหน้าที่นายกสมาคมกีฬาฟุตบอลของ พล.ต.อ.สมยศ พุ่มพันธุ์ม่วง
- ^ Bunyamanee, Soonruth (7 February 2018). "Somyot loans expose patronage roots" (Editorial). Bangkok Post. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
- ^ "Former Thai police chief arraigned for alleged cover-up of Red Bull heir's deadly traffic accident". Associated Press. August 29, 2024.