Ten former provincial governors who were moved to inactive posts in the Prime Minister’s Office pending investigation into alleged corruption are likely to be reinstated after they were cleared of the allegations.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Feb 4 that he received reports from the probe panels clearing the 10 former governors of suspected corruption, adding that he would propose Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to reinstate them to their previous posts.
He clarified the delay in the investigation, pointing out that the probes were carried out by panels set up by the office of the permanent-secretary of the PM’s Office who is not the supervisor of the ex-governors and, hence, there was the problem of cooperation from the Interior Ministry, their supervisory body.
Mr Wissanu further said that there is a protocol to be followed in case of reinstatement – that is there must be a Royal command from His Majesty the King to approve their reinstatement.
Between 2016-2017, Gen Prayut, in his capacity as chairman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has issued an order under Section 44 of the 2014 interim constitution to transfer the 10 governors to the PM’s Office for suspected involvement in corruption practices.
They are Si Sa Ket governor Yutthana Wiriyakitti, Tak governor Somchai Hathayayanti, Chanthaburi governor Somsak Parisuttho, Pattani governor Virapong Kaewsuwan, Kanchanaburi governor Sak Somboonto, Kalasin governor Natthapat Suwanprateep, Chiang Rai governor Boonsong Techamaneesathit, Phuket governor Chokechai Det-amornthun, Ratchaburi governor Suraphol Sawaengsak and Sing Buri governor Pasin Komonvich.
However, the governors of Chon Buri and Nonthaburi who were also transferred to the PM’s Office pending investigation of allegations that they were not transparent in their management of the Royal cremation of the late King in their respective provinces are not among the group of ten who have been cleared of alleged corruption and likely to be reinstated.
(Source:-ThaiPBS)