Thai cabinet approves transfer of Phuket governor, names Interior Ministry deputy permanent secretary as replacement

Thailand's cabinet has approved the transfer of Phuket Governor Nirut Pongsitthaworn to the post of deputy permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry, while Deputy Permanent Secretary Chotinrin Kerdsom will take over as Phuket governor.

The cabinet decision was reported on Tuesday by InfoQuest. The reshuffle centers on Phuket's top provincial post and comes after conflict involving senior Interior Ministry officials in the province.

According to the report, Nirut was removed from the Phuket governorship and appointed deputy permanent secretary at the Interior Ministry. Chotinrin, who had been serving as deputy permanent secretary, was assigned to replace him as governor of Phuket.

The latest move follows tensions among senior officials in Phuket. The report also said the Interior Ministry had already issued an order on Monday evening, June 15, transferring two Phuket deputy governors who were described as having problems to deputy governor posts in other provinces.

No further details on the conflict were provided in the source report.

The cabinet approval marks the latest personnel change affecting Phuket's provincial administration, with both the governor and two deputy governors now moved to new roles as the Interior Ministry responds to the dispute among senior officials in the province.