Many top officials shown the door

[Lite Beer]

Many top officials shown the door
The Sunday Nation June 29, 2014 1:00 am

Tawee

BANGKOK: -- Yingluck-aligned public servants formally transferred as the military undertakes a major bureaucratic reshuffle

Several key officials have been moved to inactive posts as part of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order's rotation of high-ranking figures.

General Nipat Thonglek, who had pledged full allegiance to ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, has been removed from the Defence Ministry permanent secretary post and is now chief adviser to the Defence Ministry.

He has been replaced by General Surasak Kanjanarat.

Athapol Yaisawang has been removed from the attorney-general's post.

Also gone is Tarit Pengdith, the former director-general of the Department of Special Investigation who pledged his allegiance to Yingluck and vowed to take legal action against those responsible for the political crackdown in 2010 under the Abhisit Vejjajiva government.

The changes were contained in orders 77-79 that the NCPO ordered on Friday night. The reshuffles took effect on Friday and His Majesty the King will endorse the new officials after the government is formed.

Nine officials have been appointed advisers to the PM's Office including Tarit, former PM's Office permanent secretary Tongthong Chandransu, former permanent

secretary for Information and Communications Technology Surachai Srisaracam, former secretary-general of the Southern Border Provincial Administrative Centre Pol Colonel Thawee Sodsong and former House of Representatives secretary-general Suwichag Nakwatcharachai.

The rotation of officials also involved the economic ministries.

Srirat Rastapana has been removed as Commerce Ministry permanent secretary and made an adviser to the PM's Office.

Srirat is replaced by Chutima Bunyaprapasara, the inspector-general at the ministry.

Chutima, who is well versed on international trade negotiation, was involved in the Abhisit government's controversial measures to solve rising egg prices.

She was director-general of trade negotiations, foreign trade and internal trade before being sidelined when Yingluck came to power.

Suthep Liumsirijarern, the recently appointed Energy Ministry permanent secretary, is now an adviser at the PM's Office while Areepong Bhoocha-oom has been shifted from secretary of the Public Sector Department Commission to replace Suthep.

When Yingluck was in power, Areepong was replaced as Finance Ministry permanent secretary because he was seen as unable to handle the post-audit committee for the debt-ridden rice-pledging scheme.

Supa Piyajitti, a new member of National Anti-Corruption Commission, was the Finance Ministry's deputy secretary at that time and Areepong made her chairman of the committee.

In further reshuffles, Rakop Srisupa-at has been removed as Customs Department director-general and becomes Finance Ministry inspector-general.

He reportedly is closely connected to former Thaksin government minister Suwat Liptapanlop.

Office of Fiscal Policy director Somchai Sujjapongse is the new director-general of Customs Department.

He reportedly has close ties with Newin Chidchob, the de facto leader of the Bhum Jai Thai Party.

Somchai, meanwhile, attended the same class as junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha at the National Defence College.



Who is being shifted, and who their replacements are

Defence Ministry deputy permanent secretary General Surasak Kanjanarat elevated to permanent secretary

Defence permanent secretary General Nipat Thonglek, was appointed chief adviser to the ministry

Attorney General Athapol Yaisawang was moved as Adviser to the Office of the Attorney General

Deputy attorney-general Trakul Winitnaiyapak becomes attorney-general

Interior Ministry deputy permanent secretary ML Panadda Diskul becomes PM's Office permanent secretary

ICT Ministry Inspector Methini Thepmani appointed as ICT Ministry permanent secretary

Interior Ministry Inspector Panu Uthairat appointed as secretary-general of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre

Deputy secretary-general of the House of Representatives Charae Panpruang appointed as secretary-general of the House of Representatives

Deputy national police chief Pol General Chatchawal Suksomjit takes over as director-general of the Department of Special Investigation

Commerce permanent secretary Srirat Rastapana appointed as adviser to the Prime Minister's Office

Secretary-general at the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission Pol General Pravesana Mulpramook appointed as adviser to the Permanent Secretary's Office at the Justice Ministry

Customs Department director-general Rakop Srisupa-at appointed as inspector-general at the Finance Ministry

Commerce Ministry Inspector-general Chutima Bunyaprapasara was appointed as permanent secretary of the ministry

Deputy secretary-general of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission Prayong Preeyachit appointed as secretary-general of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission

Fiscal Policy Office director Somchai Sujjapongse appointed as director-general of the Customs Department

Fiscal Policy Office adviser Krisada Chinavicharana appointed as director of the Office

Secretary-general at the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission Areepong Bhoochaoom appointed as Energy Ministry permanent secretary

Deputy permanent secretary Culture Ministry Apinan Poshyananda appointed as the ministry's permanent secretary

Higher Education Commission Office deputy secretary-general Kamjorn Tatiyakavee appointed as secretary-general of the Office

Basic Education Commission Office deputy secretary-general Kamol Rodklai appointed as secretary-general the Office

Officials moved to be advisers in the PM's Office:

PM's Office permanent secretary Tongthong Chandransu

Culture Ministry permanent secretary Preecha Gunteeya

Energy Ministry permanent secretary Suthep Liumsirijarern

Higher Education Commission Office secretary Tossaporn Sirisampan

Basic Education Commission Office secretary-general Apichart Jirawut

Tarit Pengdith director-general Department of Special Investigation

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry permanent secretary Surachai Srisaracam

Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre secretary-general Pol General Tawee Sodsong

House of Representatives secretary Suwichag Nakwatcharachai.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Many-top-officials-shown-the-door-30237347.html

-- The Nation 2014-06-29

[ezzra]

This purge is the Shine's Kristallnacht in this modern world, hopefully something

good will come out of it all.....( no disrespect intended to the original event)

[noitom]

Shifting the money flow around. But there will be less to pass around as years go by in Thailand. When will the army look into the flow of money, gangsterism and corruption in the illegal prostitution game?

[chainarong]

Nepotism is not a great way to run a country, the rewards are few, the damage is un-calculated, in waste , poor decision making process and systematic failure to organise a root in a brothel, their skills are only as good as there ability which generally is zero and the end game is an ally for the Prime minister, Government Ministers as a yes man , it beggars belief that anybody in this important position of Prime Minister would be dumb enough to place anybody in a senior position that has very little or no knowledge , it was evident for sometime that Yingluck was following the Path of her brother , I didn't think the Shinawatra clan could be so Dumb.

[Crazy chef 1]

Prayuth is actually putting in place people that can do the job....

and where he will find them???

[WitawatWatawit]

Only a few of those names are known to me, but they are regarded as courageous, capable and professional civil servants. Let's hope their appointments are indicative of a general move to strengthen the bureaucracy. The names that are welcomed include Supa Piyajitti, Chutima Bunyaprapasara, Areepong Bhoocha-oom, Somchai Sujjapongse, ML Panadda Diskul, Panu Uthairat. Colleagues who know about these matters say the bureaucracy at the senior level has been pretty moribund for several years, so let's see what happens next.

[dru2]

Shifting the money flow around. But there will be less to pass around as years go by in Thailand. When will the army look into the flow of money, gangsterism and corruption in the illegal prostitution game?

Very soon.

[NongKhaiKid]

The whole system is top heavy more bloody Generals than foot soldiers.

Many, many years ago the other newspaper carried a ' Letter to the Editor ' from an ex-member of the British Army who pointed out that Britain and LoS had similar sized population, Britain had a volunteer army and Thailand a conscript one.

The writer said the British Army had something in the region of 120 officers of general rank and Thailand over 2,000.

[NongKhaiKid]

For many the only door they should be shown is that of their prison cell.

[craigt3365]

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[timber]

Was there anyone appointed to a high position qualified? Would be nice to have a list for future reference.

[xminator]

So in other words, if the 2015 elections are free and there is a fully elected house of representatives, as there have to be to have free, fair and democratic elections, the administrative system is ready for another round of protests.

[smedly]

a post by Tatsujin slightly altered but needed to be on this thread

This is not and never was anything (really) to do with Yingluck, she's just the (relatively) pretty face of the party, she doesn't do anything without instructions from her brother.

The Thaksin-aligned Governments always put in place people who could push through Thaksin's agenda, whatever it may be. Any transfers or promotions were put in place to further Thaksin's own aims which were the mad grab for power and money (and some other not so subtle things), nothing more, nothing less. Just look at the number of officials and Police that are being shuffled around right now to cut the head off that snake.

Great post with the offensive parts removed - well said mate

Edited June 29, 2014 by smedly

[smutcakes]

a post by Tatsujin slightly altered but needed to be on this thread

This is not and never was anything (really) to do with Yingluck, she's just the (relatively) pretty face of the party, she doesn't do anything without instructions from her brother.

The Thaksin-aligned Governments always put in place people who could push through Thaksin's agenda, whatever it may be. Any transfers or promotions were put in place to further Thaksin's own aims which were the mad grab for power and money (and some other not so subtle things), nothing more, nothing less. Just look at the number of officials and Police that are being shuffled around right now to cut the head off that snake.

Great post with the offensive parts removed - well said mate

Where do you stop? Every Govt since the beginning of time puts their own 'people' in key positions, the same as the military are doing now.

Are you really suggesting that TS was the first person to put his friends into key positions?

[smedly]

So in other words, if the 2015 elections are free and there is a fully elected house of representatives, as there have to be to have free, fair and democratic elections, the administrative system is ready for another round of protests.

how could you know that ? There is a long time between now and then and nobody is denying that the changes going forward from now will not be easy, I do however believe there is widespread acceptance that this process is needed badly

and if what you said was in fact accurate - what would you do/change to fix it, when people are critical of something it generally means they don't agree with it and have an alternative and yet the critics here never seem to get round to posting it - either put up or ............

[smedly]

a post by Tatsujin slightly altered but needed to be on this thread

This is not and never was anything (really) to do with Yingluck, she's just the (relatively) pretty face of the party, she doesn't do anything without instructions from her brother.

The Thaksin-aligned Governments always put in place people who could push through Thaksin's agenda, whatever it may be. Any transfers or promotions were put in place to further Thaksin's own aims which were the mad grab for power and money (and some other not so subtle things), nothing more, nothing less. Just look at the number of officials and Police that are being shuffled around right now to cut the head off that snake.

Great post with the offensive parts removed - well said mate

Where do you stop? Every Govt since the beginning of time puts their own 'people' in key positions, the same as the military are doing now.

Are you really suggesting that TS was the first person to put his friends into key positions?

no they don't and if they did it certainly wouldn't be the brother of the prime minister or the gardener put in the job - I can see it now - Obama appoint his wifes sister as secretary of defence, <deleted> catch a grip

[robblok]

a post by Tatsujin slightly altered but needed to be on this thread

This is not and never was anything (really) to do with Yingluck, she's just the (relatively) pretty face of the party, she doesn't do anything without instructions from her brother.

The Thaksin-aligned Governments always put in place people who could push through Thaksin's agenda, whatever it may be. Any transfers or promotions were put in place to further Thaksin's own aims which were the mad grab for power and money (and some other not so subtle things), nothing more, nothing less. Just look at the number of officials and Police that are being shuffled around right now to cut the head off that snake.

Great post with the offensive parts removed - well said mate

Where do you stop? Every Govt since the beginning of time puts their own 'people' in key positions, the same as the military are doing now.

Are you really suggesting that TS was the first person to put his friends into key positions?

Give me examples of family members (also married into the family) getting in power after an election. Show me any government who did that compatible to Taksin. I am talking family not friends. Because chances are that friends still have skills with family members that gets a lot less (just look at the previous government)

[Clendenin]

Not that he needs my meagre support, but I'm behind Gen. Prayuth 100% I hope he roots out the corruption completely . . . although it is a herculean task.

I hope they go after that guy Jinarat who was dismissed from his position in the Commerce Ministry for a "special inquiry." The story was that he used his concurrent positions in the Commerce Ministry and as head of his family's private university in Ubon to siphon off students' scholarship money for some screwy rice purchase scheme that was found out. From what I can tell the case was simply buried while some of the students were unable to complete their education. Anybody have any info about this?

Clendenin

[Halion]

As much as I like the facts that incompetence , malfeasance and ineptitude appears to be under the gun simply stating that someone has been "transferred to an inactive post" has more of a partisan feel to it than a punitive one. There is too much ambiguity with this phrase and are all those transferred still on payroll.

Very soon if no legal and punitive actions are taken against these people we will have a whole Ministry of Inactive Posts at the taxpayers expense.

[scorecard]

Just hoping that 'advisor' actually means sit and be quiet, being watched carefully for any activity: to interfere with good governance, play corruption and collusion games, etc., etc

[Thaddeus]

As much as I like the facts that incompetence , malfeasance and ineptitude appears to be under the gun simply stating that someone has been "transferred to an inactive post" has more of a partisan feel to it than a punitive one. There is too much ambiguity with this phrase and are all those transferred still on payroll.

Very soon if no legal and punitive actions are taken against these people we will have a whole Ministry of Inactive Posts at the taxpayers expense.

Yep, a veritable hub of inactive posts.

Just sack them.

[UbonRatch]

Do they actually know what 'an inactive post' means in English, or any language for that matter?

"General Nipat Thonglek has been removed from the Defence Ministry permanent secretary post and is now chief adviser to the Defence Ministry"......

....is, but the first example... the list follows suit.... and none are in 'inactive posts'..... boggles the mind.

If you're going to fire them... then fire them, and have done with it. It's up to them to find a new job! {then again, maybe this is Big Bro' is watching you, we know where you are}

[seajae]

great move but why dont they just remove these incompetent idiots instead of re-assigning them and continuing to pay for their ineptitude. I fail to understand why they are not simply dismissed permanently, they have shown they are incapable of performing their duties fairly and without bias so why continue to supply them with a wage, make them find work for themselves and appoint people that are better qualified.

[Stradavarius37]

great move but why dont they just remove these incompetent idiots instead of re-assigning them and continuing to pay for their ineptitude. I fail to understand why they are not simply dismissed permanently, they have shown they are incapable of performing their duties fairly and without bias so why continue to supply them with a wage, make them find work for themselves and appoint people that are better qualified.

That's because you're not Thai.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[fatfather]

This purge is the Shine's Kristallnacht in this modern world, hopefully something

good will come out of it all.....( no disrespect intended to the original event)

It seems you do not know a lot about history. "Reichs Kristallnacht" is definitively the wrong event to be compared with the current situation in Thailand. Better say nothing than.....

Fatfather

[Lupatria]

For many the only door they should be shown is that of their prison cell.

I think its time to get rid of the stupid, costly, and hence unnecessary procedure, shuffling insufficient and/or corrupt officials to inactive posts. Such system does not exist in the corporate word- and most probably for a good reason.

Once you’re out- you’re out!

Turn in your white uniforms including all insignia; leave all licenses and VIP-privilege cards obtained in office on the desk- and go fishing!

Is there anyone among those in charge, who can honestly answer the question: how many (more) inactive posts can this country afford? Maybe the saved billions would be spent well in education.

[Baerboxer]

great move but why dont they just remove these incompetent idiots instead of re-assigning them and continuing to pay for their ineptitude. I fail to understand why they are not simply dismissed permanently, they have shown they are incapable of performing their duties fairly and without bias so why continue to supply them with a wage, make them find work for themselves and appoint people that are better qualified.

I often thought about this.

I guess it makes them loose face, having to turn up to a post where they do no work, have no lackeys, have no chance to skim and scam anymore. And, they are always handy when wanted for questioning. The people in those positions will have to watch their "p's and q's" all the time.

Must be very uncomfortable sitting under the sword of Damocles every day, waiting to see what crawls out of the woodwork.

Quite clever really.

[Bignose]

We are indeed living in strange times, to be witness to the excesses, maladministration and destructive practices of the previous government has been an education. If I had read a novel with this plot I would have discarded it after a few chapters as it would be unrealistic and childish, just too unbelievable to be enjoyable...

While we all have the right to express an opinion (even with some temporary restrictions) I find it very hard to understand how anyone can be pessimistic about the current situation.

Real change has been initiated, every day brings some new announcement regarding a new initiative, transfer of personnel, high placed and privileged individuals being interviewed, or statements regarding a new direction for how Thai process will be conducted.

I for one (among many like me I believe) will be happy to sit back and watch the situation develop, other countries may have expressed "concerns" at the initial change of government, but they weren't waiting months for promised payments for their rice crops, they weren't struggling to feed their families.

This countries economy could not wait any longer for a change, it was hurtling towards a precipice with little chance of stopping. The situation now is infinitely better than it was just six months ago, all power to the people now in charge with the hope that they do not take their foot off the gas. There is much more needed to be done but I am hugely optimistic that the present leadership has both the character and fortitude to see it through, goodness knows we needed it...

[wabothai]

It's best to keep your enemies in your camp.

[bigbamboo]

Was there anyone appointed to a high position qualified? Would be nice to have a list for future reference.

Certainly not in the last government and probably most of them before that.

I wonder who Tart will ally with now?