National police chief Kowit Watana was yesterday transferred to an inactive civilian post, following weeks of public pressure and media speculation.

 Pressure to replace Kowit intensified during the questionable handling of investigations into the nine bombings in Bangkok on New Year's Eve.

Police General Seriphisut Temiyavej, a senior adviser to the Royal Thai Police, was appointed as Kowit's successor.

Leaving his office late in the evening, a grim-faced Kowit was quickly surrounded by a crowd of reporters.

When asked to comment on his dismissal, he said: "We cannot choose the way we were born. I'd like to tell policemen to be patient in performing their duties."

He also described policing as "a cursed profession". He did not explain why.

Seriphisut, known as a adversary of Kowit due to previous conflicts, kept his comments to a single phrase: "One reaps what one sows."

Police spokesman General Ajiravid Subranbasaj also resigned yesterday, following Kowit's transfer.

Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarb told a press conference that Kowit was not removed over the perceived incompetence of the police investigation into the bomb attacks.

"The decision was made jointly by his superiors," Yongyuth said.

"They decided that it would be appropriate if the national police chief performs his public duties at the PM's Office," he said.

"The matter had been discussed jointly by the prime minister and the chairman of the Council for National Security [General Sonthi Boonyaratglin] all along," he added.

Reporters covering the military were the first to hear reports about Kowit's dismissal, at about 4pm yesterday. The news then filtered to reporters at Government House and the PM's Office.

Kowit was told he had been dismissed by reporters at police headquarters before he was officially informed, reports said.

Ajiravid said later that the news of Kowit's dismissal put him in a state of disbelief.

In a brief interview before he resigned, Ajiravid declined to comment on Kowit's transfer, saying he needed to be notified of the order by PM's Office.

CNS Chairman Sonthi had threatened he would hold Kowit responsible if police failed to identify those who orchestrated and carried out the bomb attacks, or if they produced "scapegoats". The threat was made before the 19 suspects detained by police over the New Year's Eve bombings, who included military officers, were released on January 26.

The CNS will soon decide whether Kowit's status as a CNS member will be invalidated or whether Seriphisut will assume it.

Seriphisut said he would meet with senior officers today. He will revitalise the investigation into the bomb attacks as well as one into a grenade attack on the Daily News compound last week, he said.

He used metaphors to describe the changes he would bring about. Under him, all officers must "go forward in top gear" and those "staying in neutral position" would face disciplinary action, he said.

Retired national police chief Pratin Santipraphob welcomed Kowit's dismissal. Pratin, also a former senator, described Seriphisut as a leader who was bold and untainted by corruption.

Much needed to be done and officers would need to work together to reform the force, he said.

Although he noted that many officers might not cooperate with their new chief, Pratin still supported the leadership change.

Speaking in a pre-recorded television interview aired after his transfer, Kowit said he had adhered to the law throughout his 40-year career. He said the 19 suspects held over the New Year's Eve bombings had to be released because there was not enough evidence against them.