The Cabinet gave powerful ministerial seats yesterday to two senior Interior Ministry officials close to coalition partner Bhum Jai Thai Party.
Community Development Department director-general Mongkol Surasatja is set to become director-general of the Local Administration Department - a powerful position in the ministry involving the supervision of provincial governors nationwide.
Mongkol will be replacing Wongsak Sawatpanit, who will assume the post of the ministry's inspector-general.
Surin Governor Vichien Chavalit will replace Mongkol, Deputy Government Spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said.
The out-of-season personnel transfers will go into effect as soon as they get royal endorsement.
Mongkol served as deputy governor of Buri Ram in 2004 and the provincial governor in 2008 before being appointed as the Community Development Department chief in October last year. The official is said to be very close to Bhum Jai Thai's influential Buri Ram politician Newin Chidchob, who is serving a five-year ban from politics.
Vichien, the Surin governor who will replace Mongkol in the Community Development Department, is close to former Surin MP Surarak Kuanha, who is now secretary to interior minister and Bhum Jai Thai leader, Chaovarat Chanweerakul.
In other Interior Ministry appointments endorsed by the Cabinet, Si Sa Ket Governor Rapee Phongbupakit will become the new Surin governor, and Local Administration Department deputy director-general Kongekvilas Rujiwattanapong will take over as Si Sa Ket governor.