Justice Minister Transfers Senior Police Officer to PM's Office

At 12:05 p.m. on September 22, Justice Minister Rutthapol Naovaratana addressed the Cabinet's decision to appoint Police Colonel Piya Ruksakul as director of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). He confirmed that the Cabinet has decided to transfer Police Lieutenant General Yutthana Praedham to a special advisor position equivalent to Civil Service Level 11, which he described as a promotion compared to his previous role as Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Energy Ministry, also at Level 11. Rutthapol noted that only 25 to 30 people in Thailand hold such positions in the Prime Minister's Office.

When asked whether the transfer involved political considerations, Rutthapol denied any connection to politics, stating it was a normal promotion. He pointed out that all 15 previous DSI directors have served only 1 to 2 years, and Yutthana had been in the DSI director post for 1 year and 8 months, making a transfer routine and appropriate. He also noted that both he and other officials follow legal procedures in all personnel decisions.

Regarding opposition claims that Piya's appointment was compensation for the Parliament dissolution case and represented a purge of certain factions within the DSI, Rutthapol rejected these allegations. He stated that the consideration for Piya's appointment was based on his suitability and previous experience, noting that two qualified candidates with DSI background were available: Piya and the secretary of the Narcotics Control Board. He emphasized that merit and a two-year performance review were the basis for the transfer decision, not political retaliation. When pressed to confirm that the transfer was not compensation related to the Parliament case, Rutthapol reiterated it was purely a matter of suitability, given Piya's prior DSI experience.