Interior Ministry Faces Reshuffle: Thai Govt

[webfact]

Interior Ministry faces reshuffle

By Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

Phranai eyed as top bureaucrat; Thawil set to get PM's adviser post

In addition to the much-heralded transfer of national police chief Wichean Potephosree, the next move is a reshuffle at the Interior Ministry, of incumbent permanent secretary Wichean Chawalit and provincial governors.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called a meeting yesterday with her deputy and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit to discuss shortlisting of nominees for governors, and Phranai Suwannarat, a deputy permanent secretary as a possible replacement for Wichean Chawalit.

Phranai, former director of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), declined to comment over his being the next permanent secretary, telling reporters who asked him whether he would feel uneasy taking the job: "I stayed and worked in the South for three years, should I be afraid? I can keep on fighting. Don't worry."

Yongyuth had earlier dismissed reports about Phranai being a strong candidate, prior to a meeting with Yingluck. He later echoed Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung who said Phranai was a good candidate for the job.

Yingluck later dismissed her government's attempts to transfer key government officials as an act of bullying, saying it was transfer season and each Cabinet minister was given a free hand to transfer in and out officials under their supervision on their own decision.

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, in response to red shirt calls for dismissal of Tharit Phengdit as incumbent director-general of the Department of Special Investigation, said they were free to rally in support of their cause, but reshuffles of officials were his ministry's decision.

Meanwhile, National Security Council (NSC) chief Thawil Pliansri will be transferred to a senior post as adviser to the prime minister today, although Thawil said he may still petition the Central Administrative Court against his transfer.

Deputy Prime Minister Kowit Wattana met with Thawil yesterday to inform him of the decision which will vacate the NSC seat for the Pol General Wichean Potephosree who is being removed as police chief.

Thawil said it would be tantamount to cheating taxpayers if his new job was not suited to his ability and experience, such as moving him to become permanent-secretary of the Tourism and Sports Ministry or Science Ministry.

"It may also affect those already in that position, which is not appropriate," Thawil added.

Asked if he still wanted to continue working with national security, Thawil said yes. Asked if the transfer was politically motivated or not, Thawil said the public could think for themselves.

Government officials must be able to work with any administration, Thawil added.

"As far as it's about national interest, I shall stick to it," said Thawil, adding that his subordinates had been supportive during this difficult period.

Asked if he is being mistreated Thawil, whose new job will carry a senior C 11 rank, refused to answer. He also refused to say if Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has phoned him to discuss the matter.

Thawil will be not be represented at the Cabinet meeting today, but will send his NSC deputy Adisak Tanyakul to attend instead.

-- The Nation 2011-09-06

[hammered]

All those nice overt political Newinite and Suthepian plants were never going to be left in place if PTP won the election.

[Buchholz]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called a meeting yesterday with her deputy and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit to discuss shortlisting of nominees for governors

As a follow-on to the discussion of revamping the Senate from the other thread.

Isn't it time and wouldn't it be grand if the governors of each province were actually elected by the voters of that province and not chosen in a smoke-filled room by the elite in Bangkok?

.

Edited September 6, 2011 by Buchholz

[hammered]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called a meeting yesterday with her deputy and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit to discuss shortlisting of nominees for governors

As a follow-on to the discussion of revamping the Senate from the other thread.

Isn't it time and wouldn't it be grand if the governors of each province were actually elected by the voters of that province and not chosen in a smoke-filled room by the elite in Bangkok?

.

Totally agree with that, but few politicians in any party do. I wonder where the more left red shirts such as Weng stand on the issue?