New Agriculture Permanent Secretary Approved by Cabinet
The Cabinet approved Rapeephat Chantharisrivongse as the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, replacing the outgoing official.
At 12:30 p.m. on July 21, 2569, Agriculture Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced following a cabinet meeting that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives had proposed appointing a new permanent secretary: Rapeephat Chantharisrivongse, director-general of the Department of Agricultural Extension. Suriya confirmed the appointment was made after consultation with ministry executives and complies with civil service regulations, which stipulate that an outgoing permanent secretary should not nominate a replacement. The appointment was recommended by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Niltapreephand, legal affairs division, with the cabinet set to consider department-level administrator appointments on July 27. Suriya stated that Rapeephat is the most senior candidate and has strong credentials, with experience in agricultural development and proven ability to elevate farmers' livelihoods through scientific knowledge. Current and incoming permanent secretaries have already coordinated on the transition plan, ensuring that the list presented to the cabinet next week will remain unchanged. Suriya emphasized that appointing department directors is the permanent secretary's authority, in which he has no involvement.
