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Published on February 23, 2008

Justice Minister Sompong Amorn-wiwat yesterday approved an order to transfer Sunai Manomai-udom out of his top post at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Sunai was the first top official to lose an important position since the new government came to power.

As soon as the People Power Party-led coalition government was installed, it was widely speculated that officials close to Thaksin Shinawatra and his allies would get important posts at key government agencies. Word spread that officials close to the Council of National Security (CNS) and Surayud Chulanont-led administration would be out of favour with the new government.

The People Power Party is the new home of members of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party, which was dissolved last year.

Sunai, a former judge, is seen as close to the Surayud Chulanont-led government.

Following the coup that removed Thaksin from power, the Surayud led administration replaced Sombat Amornwiwat, a younger brother of Sompong, with Sunai as head of the DSI.

The DSI is handling many crucial cases, among them the alleged irregularities in loans given by Krung Thai Bank to Krisadamahanakorn Group and many extrajudicial killings during the Thaksin government's war on drugs.

The DSI has also recently asked public prosecutors to prosecute Thaksin and his wife for their allegedly concealing their shares in SC Asset.

By Sompong's abrupt order, Sunai will have to serve as the acting secretary-general of the newly-established Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption from February 25 on. This new office is under the supervision of the Justice Ministry.

"I have yet to see the order in writing," Sunai said. However, he acknowledged that Justice Ministry permanent-secretary Charan Pakdeethanakul had telephoned to tell him about the transfer.

Sunai said he did not feel anything about the order. "It's common for a civil servant," he said.

An informed source said Charan might soon be transferred to the post of inspector-general at the Prime Minister's Office.

With Sunai removed from the DSI, Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) deputy secretary-general Tawee Sodsong will become acting director-general. Rumours have spread that Tawee is to return to the DSI in a high position because he is close to Thaksin's allies.

When Thaksin was ousted, Tawee was transferred from the DSI to the ONCB.

The Nation