Phuket Governor Nirat appears in Bangkok after Cabinet-approved transfer

Phuket Governor Nirat appeared at an official event in Bangkok on Monday, less than a week after the Cabinet approved his transfer to become Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.

Nirat joined Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and other senior officials at the opening ceremony of the OTOP Midyear 2026 fair at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre in Nonthaburi on June 22.

Phuket provincial officials have confirmed that, despite the Cabinet’s approval of his reassignment, Nirat technically remains Governor of Phuket until the transfer is formally published in the Royal Gazette.

The event marked his first official public appearance in Bangkok since the transfer was announced.

The fair was organised by the Ministry of Interior’s Department of Community Development under the theme “OTOP Next Inspiration: Creating Value for Wisdom Products, Reaching the Global Market”. Also attending were deputy prime ministers, cabinet ministers, ambassadors, senior Interior Ministry executives, governors from across Thailand, private-sector representatives and OTOP entrepreneurs.

After the opening ceremony, Anutin toured exhibitions featuring products from across the country, including displays related to the Royal Family and Thai community products developed for international markets.

In remarks at the event, Anutin said the government remained committed to supporting OTOP entrepreneurs by improving product quality, encouraging innovation and expanding opportunities in domestic and overseas markets. He urged the public to support OTOP products, saying they help generate income for local communities and promote Thailand’s cultural identity abroad.

Nirat’s appearance in Bangkok follows his public acceptance of the Cabinet’s decision to move him after 210 days as Phuket governor, amid continuing upheaval in Phuket’s provincial administration. Speaking last week, he said he respected the decision by Anutin and Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Arsit Sampantharat and would continue serving wherever he was assigned.

He also rejected suggestions that he had become involved in the internal conflict within Phuket’s provincial administration, saying he had tried to resolve disputes rather than align with any faction.

His transfer came during a wider reshuffle in Phuket’s senior administration. The source said at least eight senior provincial officials have been removed or reassigned since May following allegations involving corruption, abuse of authority, internal conflict and the influence of powerful local figures.

Nirat’s successor, Chotinrin Kerdsom, is expected to take over as Phuket governor once his appointment receives royal endorsement and is published in the Royal Gazette. Until then, Nirat remains Phuket’s governor while already taking part in official duties in Bangkok.