Phukphong Phongpetra (; RTGS: Phukphong Phongpetra; born 26 July 1961) is a Thai police officer. He is the former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau of the Royal Thai Police. Police Lieutenant General () Phukphong was appointed to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau on October 1, 2019. He retired on 30 September, 2021, and was succeeded by Samran Nuanma.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Phukphong, known for his leadership skills and expertise in protection and crowd control, played a crucial role in resolving both the 2010 Thai protests and 2020 Thai protests.
Early life and education Phukphong was born in Surat Thani on 26 July 1961. Phukphong was brought up in a family in Surat Thani.
After graduating from Assumption College Siracha, a private, prestigious boarding school for boys in Chonburi province, Phukphong enrolled in the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS) (Class 22). Later, he continued his education and graduated in the 38th Class at the Royal Police Cadet Academy (RPCA).
Phukphong also graduated from special training abroad, including Tactical Operations Seminar from the Virginia Public Safety Academy in Fairfax, Virginia. In addition, Phukphong is an alumni at the National Defence College of Thailand (Class 59).
Career
Beginnings Phukphong began his career as a Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Muang Surat Thani Police Station, his hometown. Later, he was promoted to many ranks in different lines of work in the police form, finally becoming the Deputy Commander at Surat Thani Province in 2008.
Protection and Crowd Control Division In 2009, Pol. Lt. Gen. Phukphong was transferred to work on special operations in Southern Thailand, and subsequently was put in charge of the Protection and Crowd Control Division.
After political unrest came to an end in Thailand, Pol. Lt. Gen. Phukphong was promoted to Commissioner of Metropolitan Police Bureau Division 9.
Metropolitan Police Bureau In 2014, after the coup d'état that toppled the Pheu Thai-led administration, Pol. Lt. Gen. Phukphong was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, under Police General Srivara Rangsibrahmanakul (), the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau at that time. "I am able to be in this position today because of my subordinates. If I were to order them and they don't follow my commands, will I succeed? The lesson I learned from my subordinates is to love and cherish them." - Pol Lt Gen Phukphong Phongpetra Although Pol. Lt. Gen Phukphong gained tremendous experience in maintaining stability and security in Bangkok from the various cases of investigations, the most renowned and notable incident that spurred Phukphong's introduction to the Thai public was his help in investigating the 2015 Bangkok bombing, which took place inside the Erawan Shrine at the Ratchaprasong intersection in Pathum Wan District.
The National Police Policy Committee, on 1 October 2019, appointed Pol. Lt. Gen. Phukphong to be the 50th Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, replacing Pol. Lt. Gen. Sutipong Wongpin, who retired on 30 September 2019.
Timeline of Position in the Royal Thai Police Date of AppointmentPosition1 February 1985Deputy Inspector of Inquiry Muang Surat Thani16 July 1987Deputy Inspector Provincial Police Region 10 (Surat Thani)1 May 1991Assistant Duty Officer Police Education Bureau30 June 1991Assistant Duty Officer Provincial Police Region 3 (Nakhon Ratchasima)1 October 1992Assistant to Assistant Duty Officer of the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police16 February 1994Assistant Duty Officer of the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police1 June 1995Assistant Duty Officer of the Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police1 July 1999Deputy Superintendent Provincial Police Division 5 Region 2 (Chonburi)16 November 2001Superintendent Provincial Police Division 1 Region 6 (Phitsanulok)18 December 2003Superintendent Provincial Police Division 1 Region 6 (Chiang Mai)1 October 2004Superintendent Provincial Police Division 1 Region 1 (Ayuthaya)1 November 2005Deputy Commander Chai Nat Provincial Police1 November 2007Deputy Commander Surat Thani Provincial Police20 November 2008Deputy Commander of Investigation Provincial Police Region 8 (Phuket)25 November 2009Commander of Protection and Crowd Control Division15 November 2010Commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau Division 91 October 2014Commander of General Staff Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau Division 11 October 2014Deputy Commissioner of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau30 October 2015Deputy Commissioner of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau Legal and Litigation Division1 October 2019Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau
Awards
Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) () of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand () Knight Grand Cross (First Class) () of The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant () Chakra Mala Medal ()
Seminars
Participated in "The 14th International Asian Organized Crime Conference" Calgary, Alberta (Canada) Participated in "International Criminal Police Organization 62nd General Assembly Session" Aruba Participated in "The 16th Annual International Asian Organized Crime Conference" San Francisco, California (United States of America) Participated in "The 18th International Asian Organized Crime Conference" Anaheim, California (United States of America)
See also
Chakthip Chaijinda () Srivara Rangsibrahmanakul ()
References