Interior Ministry permanent secretary says Phuket governor reshuffle aimed at easing provincial problems

Thailand’s Interior Ministry permanent secretary said the cabinet-approved reshuffle of Phuket’s provincial administration was intended to help resolve problems in the province and restore smoother official operations.

Speaking at Government House at 12.12 p.m. on June 16, Permanent Secretary Arsit Sampantharat said the transfer of Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn to deputy permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry, and the appointment of Deputy Permanent Secretary Chotinrin Kerdsom as Phuket governor, was made for administrative reasons.

Arsit said the move came amid reports in Phuket involving so-called grey capital and influential figures accused of seeking benefits. He said the personnel change was meant to help ease the situation and was in line with government policy on suppressing influence networks and addressing unresolved issues in the province.

He denied that the governor’s transfer was linked to a separate order by the Department of Provincial Administration chief to move the Phuket provincial clerk. Arsit said the ministry wanted to resolve all problems and compared the situation to having sand in a shoe that must be removed before walking properly again.

He said incoming officials would use their experience to tackle the issues, while longstanding problems had not been fully resolved under the existing team. Arsit added that Phuket’s deputy governors had not been working as a team, making it necessary to change the whole team so the problems could be addressed.

Arsit said the reshuffle was not related to personal gain or benefit conflicts, and insisted it was solely to ensure administrative work in Phuket could continue and that existing problems would be resolved as quickly as possible.

He also said an inquiry previously set up by the former Phuket governor would continue and report to the ministry, though he said there was nothing new at present. Even if officials involved were transferred elsewhere, any investigation would still proceed, he said.

Arsit said the prime minister had asked him about the situation, and he had advised that the best course was to defuse the problems. He said public reports of disputes among Phuket officials had reinforced the need for the changes.

He said the new Phuket governor would go in to assess the situation and that the ministry was confident in the new appointee’s experience.