Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has defended a recent major reshuffle within Thailand’s Finance Ministry, rejecting claims of political influence in the reassignment of senior officials. The changes, approved by the cabinet, involve seven high-level transfers, including the notable move of Pinsai Suraswadi, son of a senior Pheu Thai Party figure, from director-general of the Revenue Department to deputy permanent secretary.
Anutin stressed that the reshuffle was initiated by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, with his role limited to formal acknowledgment. “I didn’t look at the names. The prime minister’s authority is to give acknowledgment,” he said. Ekniti confirmed the moves were intended to fill vacancies and denied any connection between Pinsai’s transfer and his family ties.
Other significant transfers include Akkarut Sonthayanon’s move from deputy permanent secretary to director-general of the Treasury Department, Kulaya Tantitemit’s shift from Customs Department head to director-general of the Revenue Department, and Phanthong Loykulnunt’s promotion to director-general of the Customs Department.