Director-general Sunai Manomai-udom said the transfers were aimed at "disengaging" top officials and their aides from "clinging to power", and that transfers of junior officials would soon be ordered.

Piyawat Kingket, a former Army colonel, has been shifted to the top posted at the Special Criminal Cases Division. He had been a Special Cases expert and, Sunai said, had "performed well" in numerous ongoing cases, including the disappearance of Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit - where some progress had been made.

Narat Sawettanant has become the new head of the Monetary Cases Division, Yannaphol Yangyuen has become the new head of the Data Centre and Inspection Division, Dudsadee Arayawut has become head of the Technology and Information Technology Cases Division, and Suchart Wonganantchai has become head of the Foreign Affairs and International Crimes Division. All four had been police officers and now hold a rank equivalent to police colonel.

Medicine :Japanese specialists to aid colonel

A team of Japanese experts will participate in a surgical procedure today on a police colonel who lost his left hand and left leg in a bomb blast in the deep South on April 19.

Synthetic skin made by a Japanese firm will be used on areas of Noppadol Phueksomon's body damaged by the blast. The man-made skin reduces infection and helps natural skin reform faster, said Dr Sumet Pheerawuth, director of Songkhla Nakharin Hospital, where the operation will be performed.

Her Majesty the Queen has told the medical team to stop at nothing to help Noppadol, including the use of the rare and expensive synthetic skin "terudermis". It will be used for the first time here to treat Noppadol, who has had five operations since the blast.

Crime :Official takes action against insult

Assets Examination Committee (AEC) chairman Nam Yimyaem yesterday lodged a complaint with the police, claiming that Thai Rak Thai Party acting leader Chaturon Chaisang had insulted him and his 10 colleagues as state officials.

In his statement to the Crime Suppression Division, Nam said Chaturon had violated the sanctity of his office as per Article 136 of the Criminal Code. As evidence, he submitted Chaturon's remarks as reported by the press on April 17.

In his interview, Chaturon said: "The AEC members should not be trying to extend the term of office but reform [themselves] from acting like a kangaroo court." Under the Criminal Code, an insult against state officials cannot be settled out of court, unlike the charge for libel. If found guilty, Chaturon could face a jail term of up to one year and a fine of up to Bt2,000.

Social bonds :Thais love only themselves: Prawase

Social critic Prawase Wasi yesterday urged Thais to care for others and refrain from abusing power.

He said Thai society was structured vertically and lacked horizontal relationships so equality and a sense of sharing were absent, while the pressure on the lower classes would make them take revenge on society. Vertical relationships allow those with power to dominate and cheat others and create a system of cronies where rumour is rife, he said.

"Although Thais are deeply religious, they only love themselves and not their neighbours," Prawase said.