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Thailand's police chief dismissed Thailand's police chief dismissed
(about 2 hours later)
Thailand's national police chief has been sacked by the military-installed government, officials say.Thailand's national police chief has been sacked by the military-installed government, officials say.
Gen Kowit Watana's dismissal follows government and military criticism over the police inquiry into the New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok.Gen Kowit Watana's dismissal follows government and military criticism over the police inquiry into the New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok.
He is also seen as loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who was ousted in a coup in September.He is also seen as loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who was ousted in a coup in September.
A government spokesman said Gen Kowit had been transferred to an inactive post in the prime minister's office.A government spokesman said Gen Kowit had been transferred to an inactive post in the prime minister's office.
Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont has appointed Gen Seripisut Temiyawes, an adviser to the police office, as acting police chief, the spokesman confirmed.Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont has appointed Gen Seripisut Temiyawes, an adviser to the police office, as acting police chief, the spokesman confirmed.
The bomb attacks in Bangkok killed three people and wounded about 40 people. Loyalty questioned
The BBC's Bangkok correspondent says the army-appointed government is feeling increasingly embattled over its failure to produce hard evidence of corruption against the former prime minister.
Opinion polls show the government's approval rating has fallen to below 50%, while the exiled Mr Thaksin's popularity is rising.
That may explain why the government felt unable to keep in office a police chief whose loyalty was always in doubt, our correspondent says.
The New Year's Eve bomb attacks in Bangkok killed three people and wounded about 40 others.
The authorities had blamed factions loyal to Mr Thaksin - such as disaffected soldiers and police - for the bombings. The claim was angrily denied by the former prime minister.The authorities had blamed factions loyal to Mr Thaksin - such as disaffected soldiers and police - for the bombings. The claim was angrily denied by the former prime minister.
Thai investigators on Friday revealed they had a suspect in the bomb attacks, whom they believe has links to the Muslim insurgency in the country's south.Thai investigators on Friday revealed they had a suspect in the bomb attacks, whom they believe has links to the Muslim insurgency in the country's south.