Justice Minister Defends Permanent Secretary Reassignment, Denies Political Interference

Khaosod•Politics•20d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai Justice Minister clarifies reassignment of Permanent Secretary Pongswat to a consultative role, citing completion of a four-year term, and appoints Piyashiri to the position, asserting no political influence.

•Justice Minister Ruttaphon Naowarat explained the reassignment of Permanent Secretary Pongswat Niyayothin.
•Pongswat Niyayothin has completed her four-year term, necessitating the move.
•Piyashiri Wattanavarangkoon has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary of Justice.
•The Justice Minister denies any political motives behind the personnel changes.

Overview

•On July 8, 2026, at 08:50 AM, at the Government House, the Minister of Justice provided an interview.
•The Minister of Justice affirmed that there was no political involvement in the reassignment.
•The reassignment of Mrs. Pongswat Niyayothin is due to her completing a four-year term of duty on July 18, 2026.
•Mrs. Pongswat Niyayothin was transferred to the position of Advisor to the Prime Minister for the government bureaucracy.
•Mr. Piyashiri Wattanavarangkoon was appointed to the position of Permanent Secretary of Justice.
•Mr. Piyashiri Wattanavarangkoon is believed to understand the work sufficiently, having previously served in various positions within the Ministry of Justice.
•The Minister of Justice clarified that the reassignment is a standard rotation, similar to police transfers after four years.
•The Minister of Justice stated that the new position for Mrs. Pongswat Niyayothin is equivalent and does not affect her rights.

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Key Quotes

Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttaphon Naowarat

"There is no political involvement because Mrs. Pongswat will complete her 4 years of duty on July 18th, thus a reassignment is necessary."

ไม่มีเรื่องการเมืองเข้ามาเกี่ยวข้อง เนื่องจากนางพงษ์สวาท ปฏิบัติหน้าที่ครบ 4 ปีในวันที่ 18 ก.ค.นี้ จึงต้องปรับย้าย

Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttaphon Naowarat

"I confirm this is a reassignment according to the rotation cycle, as with general civil servants, even police, who must be transferred after 4 years."

ยืนยันว่าเป็นการย้ายตามวงรอบ เพราะแต่ละตำแหน่งของข้าราชการโดยทั่วไป แม้กระทั่งตำรวจ เมื่อครบ 4 ปีก็ต้องย้าย

Key Entities

Person

Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttaphon Naowarat(พล.ต.ท.รุทธพล เนาวรัตน์)

The Minister of Justice who is addressing the reassignment of the Permanent Secretary.

Mrs. Pongswat Niyayothin(นางพงษ์สวาท นีละโยธิน)

The outgoing Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, reassigned to a consultative role.

Mr. Piyashiri Wattanavarangkoon(นายปิยะศิริ วัฒนวรางกูร)

The newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, previously the Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre.

Organization

Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre(ศูนย์อำนวยการบริหารจังหวัดชายแดนภาคใต้)

The administrative body where Mr. Piyashiri Wattanavarangkoon previously served as Secretary-General.

Ministry of Justice(กระทรวงยุติธรรม)

The government ministry involved in the personnel reassignment.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The council that approved the personnel reassignment of the Permanent Secretary of Justice.

Place

Government House(ทำเนียบรัฐบาล)ℹ️

The location where the Minister of Justice gave his statement.