Somchai to return to Justice?
Somchai Wongsawat, the permanent secretary of the Labour Department and a brother-in-law of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, may be transferred back to the top post at the Justice Ministry in the annual civil service reshuffle in September, a source at the Justice Ministry said yesterday.
The Justice Ministry would submit a request at today's Cabinet meeting for Somchai to return, the source added. A recent Justice Ministry statement said Somchai, who served as permanent secretary for two terms, was needed because there were no suitable candidates to succeed Jaruphong Ruengsuwan, who will retire in September. The appointment of the Labour Department's permanent secretary, a key civil service post, is traditionally linked with political influence. Since Thaksin came to power six years ago, no Labour Ministry officials have been selected to serve in the Justice Ministry post. There had been speculation about who would be appointed to the Justice Ministry position at the end of September. The source said the annual reshuffle list had already been completed, but it had to be amended after reports that Somchai was needed back at the Justice Ministry. This year's reshuffle includes three promotions for C-10 officials to succeed two deputy permanent secretaries and the director-general of the Skills Development Department, Somchat Lekhalawan Three Labour Department officials are among those tipped for promotion: inspector-general Nakhon Silpa-archa, a relative of Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silpa-archa; Manoon Punyakriyakorn, a C-10 legal expert; and Dr Somkiart Chayasriwong. Meanwhile, Social Security Office secretary-general Phairoj Suksamrit is expected to have his term extended for another year.
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