Thaksin's brother-in-law gets top permanent labour post

Loei - The Cabinet Tuesday approved the post swapping between permanent secretary for Justice Somchai Wongsawat and permanent secretary for Labour Jarupong Ruangsuwan, Government Spokeswoman Sansanee Nakpong said.

She said the Cabinet approved the proposal of the Civil Services Commission to swap posts between the two.

Somchai, a brother-in-law of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has reached the six-year limit of holding the post of permanent secretary for Justice.

Sansanee said the CSC saw that Somchai could perform as the permanent for Labour Ministry because the Justice Ministry also oversees labour courts and Somchai could use his expertise in laws to help manage the Labour Ministry.

She said the CSC also reasoned that Jarupong also had good background on laws so he should be able to perform as the permanent secretary for Justice Ministry.

Thaksin said he had faced a dilemma regarding the fate of Somchai.

"If I extend Somchai's term of office again, I would face fiery criticism. Should I move him to Labour, I will also be attacked but for a different reason," he said.

He said he decided to swap positions for Somchai and Charupong because the two were qualified to replace one another. He also dismissed speculation that Somchai might not fit in with senior labour officials.

Source: The Nation - Jan 10 , 2006

PM THAKSIN SAYS IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO TRANSFER MR. SOMCHAI TO MINISTRY OF LABOUR

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra revealed the reason for switching the positions of Mr. SOMCHAI WONGSAWAT (สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์) who was Permanent Secretary to the Justice Ministry and Mr. JARUPONG RUENGSUWAN (จารุพงศ์ เรืองสุวรรณ) who was the Labour Ministry's Permanent Secretary. He explained that Mr. SOMCHAI is unable to extend his employment at the Ministry of Justice.

The Prime Minister said it is appropriate since Mr. SOMCHAI has considerable knowledge about laws and regulations, and there should not be any problem for him to continue his work in the Ministry of Labour.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 January 2006

Keep it in the family, there is no corruption in Thailand.

So, Mr Chomsai is out of work now? Unemployed?

It's not easy for the men at the top

LaoPo

PM: MOVING PERMANENT SECRETARY OF JUSTICE TO LABOR MINISTRY IS A GOOD DECISION.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawat expressed confidence that relocating Permanent Secretary of Justice Ministry to the position of permanent secretary of Labor Ministry is a good decision.

Prime minister Thaksin explained the reason behind switching permanent secretary of Justice Ministry Somchai Wongsawat (สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์) and Permanent Labor secretary Jaruwong Ruengsuwan (จารุพงศ์ เรืองสุวรรณ) that Mr. Somchai could not extend his term as permanent Secretary of Justice Ministry again, adding that he is appropriate to work in the Labor Ministry as he has knowledge on laws. He said that there should not be problems in transferring work.

Labor leader Somsak Kosaisuk (สมศักดิ์ โกสัยสุข) said that permanent secretary of Labor Ministry should be someone with knowledge about labor relations. He said that the labor groups want someone who will work with workers to understand tripartite issue, adding that the relocation should be carried out for the benefits of the people, not because of political reasons.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 January 2006

Keep it in the family, there is no corruption in Thailand.

You beat me to it.