PM Stays Out of Fray as Former Interior Ministry Officials Plan Lawsuit Against Permanent Secretary
Prime Minister Anuthın Charnweerakul declared he will not intervene in a legal dispute between two former Interior Ministry officials and the ministry's permanent secretary over disputed personnel transfers. The Civil Service Commission ruled the transfers unlawful, but the PM assured the controversy would not impact ministry operations, emphasizing the matter is separate from his ministerial duties.
Prime Minister Anuthın Charnweerakul remained publicly neutral on May 9, 2569 at Royal Thai Air Force Base 2, Squadron 6, regarding a Civil Service Commission (CSC) resolution involving the transfer of former Interior Ministry officials Chaiyavat Junthirapongse, former director-general of the Department of Local Administration, and Naruesha Khosaasivilai, former director-general of the Department of Community Development. The CSC ruled the transfers by then-Interior Minister Bhumitham Vejyachai and Permanent Secretary Arrsisit Samphanrat were unlawful, prompting both officials to plan legal action against the permanent secretary.
When asked if the dispute would impact ministry work, Anuthın stated firmly it would not, calling them separate matters. "This is a matter of discretionary use and CSC authority, which is an independent agency," he said. "Those affected can proceed through proper legal channels without affecting Interior Ministry operations."
Anuthın further distanced himself from the controversy, saying: "To put it simply, I'm not involved. I'm still Interior Minister, so everyone must follow my policies to alleviate suffering and promote public welfare—that's what matters." When asked if he would take sides, the PM declined, saying at his age any grudge would be expired anyway, and involvement would turn it into ministerial interference rather than a personal matter.