Agriculture Minister Defends Senior Official Transfers as Merit-Based

At a press conference on July 21, 2025 at Government House, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit responded to social media criticism by Phayao MP Tammanus Prompao and Khla Tham Party leader regarding the ministry's personnel transfers. Tammanus had suggested the moves were motivated by financial policy rather than performance.

Suriya stated that all opinions on staffing decisions—whether from Tammanus or others—would inform his judgment. He emphasized that senior civil service appointments are conducted transparently, with authority resting with the permanent secretary rather than the minister. Seven senior officials are retiring on September 30, necessitating replacement appointments.

Suriya said the permanent secretary had reviewed qualifications comprehensively, including integrity, dedication, and seniority, in consultation with senior management. When his approval was sought, he granted it and forwarded the recommendation to the cabinet secretary for cabinet consideration.

Asked to confirm that appointments are merit-based rather than financially motivated, Suriya denied any benefit-seeking or position-trading, inviting investigation by any concerned parties. Addressing claims of a political purge, he noted that the agriculture ministry has 31 senior administrative positions; a complete purge would require changing all 31 posts. He highlighted his 11 years in government across five administrations—five years as deputy minister under Thaksin Shinawatra, four years under General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, one year under Srettha Thavisin, and one term under Paetongtarn Shinawatra—during which personnel transfers never faced scrutiny, constituting empirical evidence of legitimacy.

On Tammanus's motives, Suriya said the opposition has the right to scrutinize government work, and he welcomed any inquiries. Details of all department transfers would be revealed after the cabinet meeting.