People’s Party MP says Phuket official transfers are only a cosmetic response to alleged mafia problems
A People’s Party MP has criticized the transfer of Phuket’s governor and other provincial officials, saying the reshuffle does not address the roots of alleged mafia-linked problems in Phuket.
People’s Party list MP Pakamon Noon-anan said the transfer of Phuket’s governor and a deputy governor was not a serious solution to alleged mafia-linked problems in the province, calling the moves a public relations exercise rather than a root-and-branch crackdown.
Speaking on June 16 at the Future Forward building in Bangkok, Pakamon, who chairs the House committee on political development, mass communications and public participation, questioned what would happen after the transfers. She said moving officials alone did not amount to punishment and argued that the public had known about the problems for a long time.
Her comments followed the reassignment of Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn to a post as deputy permanent secretary at the Interior Ministry, and the transfer of Phuket officials after controversy over leaked chat messages. Pakamon also referred to the transfer of a Phuket deputy governor to Nakhon Si Thammarat, saying a move to his home province did not appear to be a penalty.
Pakamon said she was disappointed that the prime minister and interior minister had, in her view, acted only after the issue became public, despite longstanding complaints in the area. She said People’s Party MPs had tried to submit a complaint directly to the prime minister during a visit to Phuket, but were told to leave, which she said raised doubts about the government’s willingness to listen.
She also said a previous issue involving what she described as a “help blue” Line chat had already been brought before her committee. According to Pakamon, the director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration had been invited to explain the matter, but the committee was told that no formal inquiry had yet been set up.
Pakamon said the government should clearly explain what misconduct had occurred, who was involved and who was behind it. Without that, she said, the transfers would not convince the public that authorities were seriously tackling alleged mafia influence in Phuket.
She added that her committee would continue gathering facts this week and planned to invite the permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry and the interior minister to provide clarification. She also said the Election Commission had been invited to give its view on whether interference with state officials in an election would constitute an offence.
