PM transfers internal trade chief amid reports of face mask exports

By The Nation

 

Wichai Pochanakit

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has transferred the director-general of the Department of Internal Trade (DIT), Wichai Pochanakit, to the Office of Prime Minister after rumours of hoarding of face masks amid the Covid-19 crisis.

 

The premier said the aim of the move was to re-establish people’s confidence in the government and investigate rumours of the hoarding face masks to sell in international markets.

 

The director-general will continue his duties in the PM's Office until the investigation is completed. He will be monitored and supervised by the Prime Minister’s Office permanent secretary.

 

The DIT's new chief will be decided in the future.

 

Meanwhile, the besieged Wichai filed a libel complaint with police on March 12 against Chaiyuth Khamkhun, spokesman of the Customs Department.

 

Chaiyuth had earlier told the media that exports of face masks still continued even after the government's ban order to tackle the problem of shortage of face masks during the Covid-19 outbreak.

 

 

Exports of face masks and related medical products currently require permission from the Department of Internal Trade.

 

People have been angry as they could not buy face masks at drug stores or convenience stores due to shortage while Wichai has assured adequate supplies.

 

Wichai also demanded the Thai Pharmacies Association to send a letter of apology to him after the association told the public that drug stores did not get face masks despite Wichai's promise to distribute to them.

 

In the export document circulated among the press on Sunday, the department allegedly allowed exports of one million pieces of face marks to Chicago in the United States dated March 11.

 

Meanwhile, Chaiyuth confirmed to The Nation on Sunday the Customs statistics showing export of face marks after February 5, when the face mask export ban order took effect.

 

He, however, did not confirm the report about one million face masks being exported to Chicago, which was circulated in social media and the local press on Sunday.

 

Prayut’s government has faced heavy criticism over the shortage and overpricing of face marks amid reports of a rising number of infections.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384126

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-03-16

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As if this guy would break the ban if someone higher up was not involved. A small fish sacrificed for "the greater good".

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The premier said the aim of the move was to re-establish people’s confidence in the government and investigate rumours of the hoarding face masks to sell in international markets.

Peoples confidence will only be re-established when the entire govt resigns! They really don't want you!

34 minutes ago, bangkokfrog said:

As if this guy would break the ban if someone higher up was not involved. A small fish sacrificed for "the greater good".

I believe the minister for smuggling Heroin was involved in this. One of the senior untouchables.

Edited March 15, 20206 yr by Oziex1
Typo

Prayut said the aim of the move was to re-establish peoples confidence in the government.

How can you re-establish something that was not there anyway?

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The premier said the aim of the move was to re-establish people’s confidence in the government and investigate rumours of the hoarding face masks to sell in international markets.

How about sacking him and using the law to prosecute, if found guilty. That would re-establish peoples confidence but I know I just don't understand Thai democracy or logic.

7 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

How about sacking him and using the law to prosecute, if found guilty. That would re-establish peoples confidence but I know I just don't understand Thai democracy or logic.

Thai democracy? Isn't  that an outdated concept?

1 minute ago, pegman said:

Thai democracy? Isn't  that an outdated concept?

Its something that can't be quantified or even defined. Its like when you mix two words together and say it is a new word, which it is not or in the dictionary.

Total joke. Those accountable must be sacked not transferred as there is no punishment.

Enough of those "transferts".

 

We need punishment.

 

Chinese/Staline style.

 

With large and public "trials", on TV, with heavy prison terms or death penalty.

 

China knows better. They know that in order to keep the "Mandate of Heaven" you have to make some heads rolling, from time to time !

 

In order to keep the sheeps in line, you need to cull a few or your owns.

 

In Thailand ? A wai and a "transfert"... 

 

It summarizes perfectly the amateurism, and the weaknesses, of the thai system.

 

The elite is not really smart.

 

And that's the main problem.

 

Sure enough, many chinese official are inane too, at the low levels... but many at higher level are really, really smart.

 

It makes all the difference as far as the survival of a system is concerned.

Edited March 16, 20206 yr by christophe75

1 hour ago, colinneil said:

How can you re-establish something that was not there anyway?

A new coup to replace the current one, populated then with the old one

"the aim of the move was to re-establish people’s confidence in the government"

How do you re-establish something that has never existed in the first place?

The space cadet silly little general lives in a world of his own!

This coup makes me miss the last coup.  The current clowns are just so dumb.   

 

Sounds like they have evidence and are making it sound like innuendo to avoid more adverse news.       

 

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

In the export document circulated among the press on Sunday, the department allegedly allowed exports of one million pieces of face marks to Chicago in the United States dated March 11.

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Customs statistics showing export of face marks after February 5, when the face mask export ban order took effect

A tad embarrassing!

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The premier said the aim of the move was to re-establish people’s confidence in the government and investigate rumours of the hoarding face masks to sell in international markets.

How about removing the convicted criminal member of the cabinet?

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The premier said the aim of the move was to re-establish people’s confidence in the government

and you (really) think that will happen by just moving one director of a so so department.... 555

Go to a squalid cell for 1 day overstay but risking lives for profit is just a transfer

 

Fantastic

4 hours ago, saminoz said:

"the aim of the move was to re-establish people’s confidence in the government"

How do you re-establish something that has never existed in the first place?

The space cadet silly little general lives in a world of his own!

He is on par and just as deluded as fatty NK leader Kim Bong-Bun

An the health minister next on the list perhaps.  Oops silly me, need his parties vote.