New Immigration boss “Big Oud” shows his teeth: Orders transfer of Ranong chief after slow service

Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang has made his first decisive move as the new immigration chief. 

 He has ordered the transfer to clerical duties of the chief of Ranong immigration.

Pol Col Weerayot Karunyathorn was relieved of his post following complaints from Myanmar authorities after delays at the Andaman checkpoint back on February 7th during the TBC meeting, reported Daily News. 

He will be replaced by Pol Col Phairat Phukcharoen with an investigative committee set up to look into the goings on at the checkpoint in Thailand’s south. 

Yesterday Lt-Gen Sompong spoke about the high expectations of his staff at border checkpoints  throughout the kingdom saying that they were windows to the outside world.

He demands good service from his officers with advance planning to cater for special occasions and public holidays both in Thailand and in neighboring countries when traffic may be heavier than normal. 

His statement appeared to be what led Daily News to speculate that the transfer to clerical duties was as a result of poor and slow service. 

Lt-Gen Sompong also spoke of the need for good service at airports citing delays during a storm at Don Muang airport on 25th April as another occasion when expectations were not met. 

Sompong replaced Lt-Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn after the latter was demoted to an adviser role in the PM’s office last month. 

Sompong is known as Big Oud  though he was referred to as “The Oud” by Daily News today. 

Oud refers to the Thai word for the sound of a pig or “oink”.  

Thai Visa / Daily News

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