many wonder why Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha appointed deputy governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang as Sukhumbhand’s successor.
Here are some possible reasons that landed Aswin in this post at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administra-tion (BMA).
A Class 30 police academy graduate with classmates such as Pol General Kamronwit Thoopkrachang and Pol General Chatchawal Suksomjit, Aswin served in many key posts. The posts included that of Crime Suppression Bureau chief in 1999 and Metropolitan Police Bureau chief in 2007-2008, and his last and highest position was as a deputy chief of the National Police.
During his time in the police force, Aswin solved several key cases, including the murder of former Democrat MP Khomkhai Ponlaboot’s mother, the car-bomb “assassination plot” on Thaksin Shinawatra, the arrest of former Democrat Party candidate Pracha “Kamnan Sia” Phophiphit and the 1996 extrajudicial killing of six drug suspects led by “Joe Danchang”.
After retirement, Aswin joined Pusadee Tamthai as deputy governor in Sukhumbhand’s team, as per the Democrat Party quota. It was reported that Aswin, who was not close to Sukhumbhand, had been invited to take the job by former Democrat leader Chuan Leekpai, current party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and former party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban.
Apart from overseeing the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department, Aswin had completed three key tasks that possibly impressed Prayut.
First, he successfully re-regulated the public-transport vans in the Victory Monument area and reclaimed the footpaths in the Siam, Klong Thom and Saphan Lek areas. Aswin is known for his negotiation skills, knowing when to be soft and when to be tough. Among vendors, he was known as a man of his word, which is why they offered little resistance.
Second, he helped solve the decade-long fire-engine fiasco by shifting budgets around and putting all the engines to use.
Third, he displayed his ability to solve problems at hand. Instead of letting the alleged dispute between the city council and BMA executives over a Bt75-billion budget go past the September 30 deadline because of Sukhumbhand’s absence, Aswin signed the relevant documents to get things rolling – a move that impressed people in power. Some wonder if Aswin received a signal from the higher-ups to go ahead with this move.
As the new governor, Aswin is being viewed by some as under the control of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), and many wonder if he can run the city smoothly.
Many tasks, both current and long-term, have been waiting for the new governor to handle.
The first and foremost is the mourning period for His Majesty the King, as hordes of people are heading to Bangkok and the BMA has to make space for them, as well as coordinate with agencies for subsequent rituals and related matters. Perhaps this was one of the reasons Prayut decided to name a new governor for the capital.
Other tasks at hand include the re-regulation of the Mahakan Fort Community, which is defiantly fighting orders, and has cultural strength and backing from various sectors; the controversial Chao Phraya for All development project; and the fight against graft within the BMA. Apart from these challenges, Aswin also has many people’s expectations heavy on his shoulders.
In related news, Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda said yesterday that Aswin was appointed to create unity and propel forward important work, such as royal ceremonies and flood prevention.
Meanwhile, Abhisit said he was not surprised and welcomed Aswin’s appointment, saying it was good because he had been working for the city and had coordinated on several matters.
He called on Aswin to prioritise the accommodation of mourners, so everything runs smoothly. He also urged Aswin to prepare for water run-offs from the North, as the former prime minister had observed serious flooding in Ayutthaya province.
Abhisit also said Aswin should have people from various walks of life such as engineers, city planners, as well as experts in social/public and health/culture matters join his team. He said many Democrat Party members were ready and able to help him.