Cabinet approves another reshuffle in key ministries

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BANGKOK, Sept 13 – Thailand’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved the latest transfer of senior government officials in another major reshuffle in key ministries and security-concerned agencies.

Deputy government spokesman Chalitrat Chantarubeksa announced the Tuesday Cabinet resolution on the latest transfer of officials in the ministries of justice, agriculture and cooperatives, transport, and tourism and sports, as well as appointing political officials.

The transfers will take effect Oct 1.

Among senior officials being transferred are Corrections Department Director-General Chartchai Sutthiklom, shifted to the post of deputy permanent-secretary for Justice.

Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew is transferred to head the Office of the Narcotics Control Board. Gen Adul disclosed that Justice Minister Pol Gen Pracha Promnok called him twice asking him to lead the narcotics control agency to help implement the government’s anti-drug operations,  which the prime minister earlier announced as a national agenda priority. Gen Adul said he will start his one-year term in his new office Oct 1.

The latest transfer of senior government officials came after National Police Chief Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree was transferred to head the National Security Council (NSC), while NSC Chief Thawil Pliensri became an adviser to the prime minister, part of a major reshuffle of key ministries with many seen as loyal to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra being promoted to key posts.

Mr Thawil on Monday submitted a petition to the Merit Systems Protection Committee against the prime minister for what he described as the “unfair” transfer order.