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Published on February 26, 2008

Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat yesterday defended his decision to transfer Sunai Manomai-udom out of his top post at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), arguing he has trusted Sunai with other important work.

"The transfer is not a demotion … I see Sunai as a very capable and good person," Sompong said at a press conference.

Sunai was the first top official to lose an important post since the new government came to power. During the previous administration, Sunai replaced Sompong's younger brother, Sombat Amornwiwat, as the director general of DSI.

"I am not taking revenge on Sunai," Sompong said. "The transfer order is not intended to do favours for Thaksin Shinawatra".

Following a coup that removed him from power, Thaksin has lived in self-imposed exile but is set to return to Thailand soon. The DSI has been handling many important cases, some of them relating to Thaksin or his government.

Sompong yesterday insisted that he transferred Sunai to the newly-formed Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption because Sunai's capabilities were needed there.

"He is well qualified to head this new agency. He can put the right men in the right post there. He can get things started there," the justice minister said.

Sompong said he would thank Sunai for coming to work at this new agency when they met next time.

"The work at this new anti-graft agency is very important," Sompong said, adding the agency would be similar to the Office of National Counter Corruption Commission.

Asked why he chose Tawee Sodsong as the new head of DSI, Sompong said Tawee was qualified for this job because he had served as the deputy-director general of DSI.

Sompong, however, remained vague as to why Tawee was chosen over the more senior deputy-director general of DSI - Tharit Pengdit.

"There are many things for him [Tharit] to do," he said.

Tawee was seen as close to Thaksin's allies. Following the coup against the Thaksin-led government, Tawee was transferred out of DSI to the Office of Narcotics Control Board.

Commenting on his transfer, Sunai said he would let society decide whether his transfer was appropriate. So far, he said his work at the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption was important and he was now the first official there. "I will ensure the new agency is truly independent. If it works out well, I will return to the courts," said Sunai, a former judge.

While Sompong said he consulted Justice Ministry permanent-secretary Jaran Pakdee-thanakul about the transfer, Jaran insisted, "I was involved in discussions but I did not propose Sunai as the head of the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption".

The Nation