Phuket provincial official and four district officers petition House panel over allegedly unfair transfers
Five Phuket administrative officials have asked a House committee to investigate transfers they say were ordered unfairly, citing a lack of proper inquiry and possible political motives linked to land cases at three beaches.
Phuket’s provincial permanent secretary and four local administrative officials have petitioned a House of Representatives committee, alleging they were transferred unfairly and without a proper fact-finding process.
The complaint was submitted on May 28 to the parliamentary Committee on Political Development, Mass Communications and Public Participation. The petition was received by committee chair Phakamon Noonanan and Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee of the People’s Party.
According to the complaint, the Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration ordered the transfer of the Phuket provincial permanent secretary and four local administrative officers to assist work at the department, even though the complainants said the authority to appoint or assign them rests with the permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry.
The officials argued that the transfer order was unjustified and was issued without a full investigation of the facts. They also said the move had damaged the image and credibility of the Department of Provincial Administration.
The petition further alleged that confidential personal documents related to those transferred were leaked publicly. It also referred to accusations of political interference, including claims that state officials were instructed to help certain political parties during a past election.
Chalermpong said he had previously received complaints from Phuket provincial permanent secretary Rungreung Thimabut, the district chiefs of Mueang Phuket, Kathu and Thalang, and the Phuket provincial defense officer. He said the five had been ordered to report to the Department of Provincial Administration after taking action related to land issues at Bang Tao Beach, Freedom Beach and Nui Beach.
He said the three beach areas involved influential figures and had links to political groups, as well as a Phuket deputy governor. He also said there were allegations that orders had been sent from the Department of Provincial Administration’s director-general to district chiefs, kamnans and village heads nationwide to provide political assistance to some groups, but that officials in Phuket did not follow that approach, leading to what was viewed as an unfair transfer.
The complainants said the case should enter the justice process and be examined by parliament in order to ensure fairness for those affected.
Chalermpong called on the prime minister and the interior minister to handle the matter transparently and honestly to build public confidence. He also said Phuket still has many influential groups connected to public land encroachment cases, with senior officials in the province allegedly involved behind the scenes.
