NLA members voted 231-4 in favour of the action, with three abstentions.

With the impeachment, Surapong is banned from politics for five years starting today. When the new charter is put into effect, the impeachment could mean a lifetime ban.

The former foreign minister was accused of illegally returning the two Thai passports to Thaksin, who has been living in exile since his conviction in a land deal case, which allegedly benefited his family.

His two passports were revoked in 2009 by the Abhisit government, but in the subsequent government Surapong returned them to him, arguing Thaksin was not a threat to the country as claimed.

However, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) found Surapong guilty of malfeasance and forwarded the case to the NLA. NACC commissioner Supa Piyachiti, who was responsible for the case, said returning the passports to the former prime minister breached the Foreign Ministry’s regulations prohibiting the issuance of travel documents to terrorism suspects.

Following Supaksorn’s bathing rites at Wat Bang Nara in Muang district later Thursday evening, his body was to be transported to his hometown in Pattani’s Mae Lan district.

According to Pol Maj-General Atthasit Sudsa-nguan, the death of a police officer on duty entitles his family to compensation of at least Bt1.1 million.

Supaksorn was killed when six gunmen riding in the back of a Toyota pickup truck attacked his precinct at about 8am as police were preparing to raise the national flag.

As police returned fire, the truck sped away. The incident also led to injuries for five other officers, including the precinct superintendent Pol Colonel Surapong Chatsut whose ear was grazed by bullet.

Gen Prayut told media in Bangkok on Tuesday that he had received a complaint regarding the officer from a local.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Teerapol Thipjaroen told the Phuket Gazette that Maj Thanturong Wuthiwong was the officer in question, whose transfer was confirmed yesterday.

“We have asked the concerned parties for evidence, as we want to ensure justice for both sides,” said Gen Teerapol.

Maj Thanturong says he is ready to fight his case and inform the public of the truth.

“I was accused of using a weapon to threaten the operator of an entertainment venue. I have witnesses who can corroborate that I didn’t use any weapon that day. As for the complaint that I received benefits (tea money), I have already confirmed that the allegations are not true,” said Maj Thanturong.

“I arrived in Patong a few years ago, and part of my legal duties have affected some people. This is not the first time these people have either said or written something against me. I have filed complaints myself and there are numerous cases pending. This time too, I’m ready to fight.”

The complaint was registered in the form of a letter, naming two police officers, sent to the PM.

“We, Patong locals, suffer a lot. They [police officers] act like they’re above the law, asking for tea money and threatening us. They claim to be close to the Deputy Prime Minister, so they are not afraid of anything. We have lodged a complaint at several offices, including the Damrongdharma Center, but nothing has been done,” the letter read.

Police did not disclose the name of the second officer mentioned in the letter.

Officials say they plan to set up a committee which will take 15 days to investigate the accusations.

“The accident occurred at about 7:40pm. We received a report of the crash near Mission Hills Phuket Golf Club Resort and Spa. We found the victim, Xing Chen, 27, lying on the side of the road. He was wounded, but still conscious,” said Col Sanit Nukong of Thalang Police.

Mr Chen was given first aid at the scene by rescue workers and then taken to Thalang Hospital. He was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at Bangkok Hospital Phuket.

“We also found a damaged white Totoya Vios at the scene. The driver, Sommai Permpoon, 32, said he was on his way back home from work when he saw Mr Chen at roadside carrying an umbrella and trying to chase away some dogs. Mr Sommai says he changed lanes to avoid hitting the man, but Mr Chen suddenly ran out in front of him,” said Col Sanit.

“We checked Mr Sommai’s alcohol level, but he was clean. We have not charged anyone yet, as we are waiting for Mr Chen to recover so we can question him,” he added.

According to staff at Mission Hills, Mr Chen is a pilot who had checked into the hotel at 5pm the same day. He was out buying something at a local mart before the accident.

The commissioner was responding to an idea that has been discussed in the media

However, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said it was not yet time to hold elections.

The government currently imposes a ban on local elections, so elected officials in office before the coup are often still working past their original terms.

The situation could give them a political advantage in the next elections as they could distribute favours at the expense of the integrity of their current offices, Somchai said.

Somchai added that electoral fraud was most rampant in local elections, with Bt1,000 to Bt5,000 spent to buy each vote.

The EC is now working on a local election law in line with the new constitution, which is intended to close past loopholes, he said, adding that the EC was ready if the government wanted to hold elections.