Gen Patchara, 58, became a policeman on February 1, 1979. His first major post was when he became deputy superintendent at Lomsak Police Station in Petchaboon in 1997, followed by police superintendent at Tahtapo station in Nakhon Sawan the following year.
In 2007 he was transferred to Bangkok to take on the post of Deputy Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 4. The following year he was made acting Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, with the appointment being confirmed on February 23, 2012.
Bangkok was a dangerous time for him. In 2008, when Yellow Shirts occupied Don Muang airport. He was attacked by protesters while providing supporting manpower to Metropolitan Police Division 2.
Two years later he faced the other colour, being taken hostage by Red shirts for a couple of hours when his men tried to arrest firebrand Arissman Pongruangrong. Arissman escaped.
In October of that year he was made Commander of Pitsanulok Provincial Police, followed a year later by a transfer to the same position in Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
After his men failed to control protests there by supporters of anti-Pheu Thai campaigner Suthep Thaugsuban, he was moved to Police Region 8 HQ in Surat Thani.
Gen Patchara graduated from Royal Police Cadet Academy class 32, the same class as his current boss, Lt Gen Panya Mamen, currently Police Region 8 Commissioner.
Phuket has not had an official provincial commander since Pol Maj Gen Ong-art Piewruangnon was abruptly transferred to an empty office in Region 8 in June. The province’s police force has since been overseen by one of Gen Panya’s deputies, Maj Gen Krajnag Suwannarat.
“[Gen Patchara’s appointment] has not been officially announced yet,” a source in Phuket Provincial Police told The Phuiket News today. “We will know the name for sure when we receive the announcement letter.
“So please wait for it. Everything can change, even one day before the announcement. At this stage, we cannot confirm whether or not he is the new Phuket Provincial Commander.”