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11.03.09 Reshuffle reduces Thaksin influence
Source: Bangkok Post
The cabinet has approved the reshuffle of 28
senior officials, mostly provincial governors and two interior
directors general, in a move seen as diminishing the influence of
Thaksin Shinawatra.
The governors of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, considered strongholds
of the ousted prime minister and his dissolved Thai Rak Thai party,
yesterday were among those transferred.
Chiang
Mai governor Wibul Sanguanpong was appointed deputy interior permanent
secretary and replaced by Amornphan Nimanant, who was Lamphun governor.
Chiang Rai's Traisith Sinsomboonthong traded positions with Sumeth
Saengnimnuan, an interior inspector-general.
Observers said the
reshuffle was seen as beneficial to the Bhumjaithai party, which is
under the influence of Buri Ram politician Newin Chidchob.
New Chiang Mai governor Mr Amornphan is known to have close ties with Democrat executives and Mr Newin.
The
shake-up includes Khon Kaen governor Manit Wattanasen, who was
appointed director-general of the Local Administration Department,
replacing Sukit Charoenrattanakul, who was made an interior
inspector-general.
Mr Sukit is a younger brother of Suchai Charoenrattanakul, a public health minister in the Thaksin administration.
The
source said Mr Manit was closely allied with Mr Newin, who wanted him
to handle the department's massive budget of more than 50 billion baht,
which has yet to be disbursed.
Mr Sukit, chief of the Local Administration Department, said his transfer was unfair and politically motivated.
He planned to take his complaint to the Civil Service Commission and the Administrative Court.
Prime
Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva defended the cabinet's resolution on the
reshuffle as normal practice and taken under an Interior Ministry
proposal.
Other officials who have been transferred include
Nakhon Nayok governor Pairat Sakolphan, who replaces Community
Development Department director-general Chumporn Polrak. Mr Chumporn
becomes Sing Buri governor.
The source said Mr Pairat was known
to have links with Puea Thai and is a close associate of Khunying
Sudarat Keyuraphan, a banned executive of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai
party.
Puea Thai MP for Chiang Mai Surapong Towijakchaikul
deplored the transfers saying they would demoralise civil servants. He
was particularly concerned at the removal of the Chiang Mai governor,
condemning it as inappropriate and not based on good governance.
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