Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda on Thursday also ordered that officers dealing with suspects being detained in custody should not behave in any way that might suggest they are friendly with them.

Such behaviour risks sending the wrong signals and could hamper police in their duties, Chaktip said, citing recent instances that negatively affected the image of police.

Police are ordered to forbid anyone from taking photos and videos of them with suspects other than during the collection of evidence.

The orders apply to all ranks, and any officers violating the directive face administrative and disciplinary punishment.

The orders come days after Wattana Pummares, 61, was presented at a press conference charged with planting bombs in Bangkok in 2007 and 2017.

Chakthip and other senior officers involved in the investigation were present as Wattana was given a microphone to answer reporters’ questions.

The suspect used the opportunity to condemn the military coup and the coup leaders who took up positions in government, and said his actions were intended to convey public frustration to the government.