Group vows to fight 'abuse'

The recently formed People's Assembly of Thailand (PAT) yesterday emerged as a new advocacy group against what it describes as a growing abuse of power by the government.

The government, meanwhile, will shuffle top diplomats following recent transfers of senior officials that were intended to boost performance, not as a reprisal, said Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama.

PAT's leaders include Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Admiral Bannawit Kengrien, Prasong Soonsiri, Paisal Puetmongkol, Prapan Koonmee and Pramote Nakhonthap.

The group said it opposed the removal of Sunai from the DSI at a critical juncture since he was instrumental in uncovering many corruption cases, including those involving former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

It threatened to initiate impeachment proceedings against Cabinet members who issued unjustified transfer orders by soliciting up to 50,000 signatures from those who support its cause.

According to the charter, a minimum 50,000 signatures are required to initiate impeachment proceedings against public office holders.

The group said it would also work as an ally of the People's Alliance for Democracy, a staunch opponent of the Thaksin regime.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Noppadon said many top government officials were rotated after the seizure of power in late 2006, and the present elected government deems it necessary to shuffle positions in order to implement its policies.

Noppadon said people should give the government a chance to form its team for policy implementation. He said his ministry would rotate a number of diplomats over the next few months, instead of during the annual reshuffle conducted in October.

The mid-year reshuffle is necessary because some diplomats have opted for early retirement from the foreign service and certain assignments should be entrusted only to qualified and capable officials, he said.

The government triggered an uproar by removing four top officials in the space of a week. They were national police chief General Seripisut Temiyavej, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general Sunai Manomai-udom, Public Relations Department director-general Pramote Rathavinit and Food and Drug Administration secretary-general Siriwat Thiptharadol.

Top members of the ruling People Power Party have said the government will continue to purge senior officials considered to be close to the previous military-appointed administration.

They hinted that Justice permanent secretary Jaran Pakdithanakul might be the next target for removal.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva warned yesterday of a widening rift in

society if the government persisted with its bureaucratic reshuffle.

"I suggest the ministers concerned check Article 279 of the Constitution, which prescribes the ethical standards required of office-holders," he said.

He said the government had created unnecessary tensions by targeting senior officials who were respected figures in society.

"The government should be aware of criticism that it appears to be targeting those officials who stand in the way of its interests," he said.

Alongkorn Pollabutr, Abhisit's deputy, said the government might collapse if it insisted on purging and weakening the bureaucracy.

Many people see the reshuffles as unjustified and self-serving instead of a means to boost performance as the government claims, he said.

Society should closely monitor whether Jaran and central-bank governor Tarisa Watanagase are moved out of their posts soon, he said.

The Nation