BANGKOK: National Police Chief Gen. Kitrat Phanphet (pic) has stressed strict adherence to the 2018 Police Uniform and Hairstyle Regulations, requiring officers to maintain a clean appearance with sides and backs shaved.

The directive comes after the previous police chief issued a looser directive a year ago allowing side hair to grow up to 1 centimeter in length.

A report revealed that official documents and messages circulating among police officers via LINE, in the form of an order for “Pitak 1” (the police chief’s radio call sign), outlined the following directives:

1. All police officers must have short haircuts, with hair shaved on the sides, back and top not exceeding 4 cm. Beards are also prohibited. Supervisors must strictly enforce this rule.

2. Investigative units may opt for very tapered haircuts, but when in uniform, hairstyles must comply with the regulations in Rule 1.

3. Supervisors at all levels must strictly ensure compliance. Units whose officers do not follow these rules will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the chain of command.

Additionally, the Facebook page “Prachan Lai Kratai V5” posted a video clip of the national police chief in a video conference meeting on preparations for Loy Krathong.

The chief emphasized maintaining good discipline and cleanliness, urging officers to adhere to regulations.

He stressed that all personnel must follow the rules, with the exception of detectives or agents like the Border Police working undercover in intelligence roles.

However, when wearing the uniform during meetings, ceremonies or inspections, hair must be kept short in accordance with regulations.

He concluded with a strong statement: “I do not want to see officers under my leadership sporting longer hairstyles. This is not acceptable.”

On this issue, many police officers expressed their disagreement with the regulation, sharing various opinions, such as:

“Instead of focusing on what we have in mind, they are focusing on what we have in mind.”

“Are hairstyles more important than well-being?”

“Exhausting. Don’t forget to transfer 100 baht per week for haircut fees.”

“No salary increase, that’s one thing, but now we’re adding expenses. Three haircuts a month!”

On October 17, 2023, then-National Police Chief Police General Torsak Sukwimol signed a regulation issued by the Royal Thai Police regarding the conduct of uniformed police officers.

The regulation sets out the reasons for its implementation, stating that it is appropriate to revise the rules regarding the behavior of uniformed police officers to align them with current requirements of government service.

Key points of the regulation included:

Article 4: Male police officers, when in uniform, must keep a short haircut. The hair on top should not exceed 5 centimeters in length, while that on the sides and back should not exceed 1 centimeter. – The Nation/ANN