Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) permanent secretary Pongsak Semsan's transfer to a senior adviser's post attached to the PM's Office raised a lot of eyebrows yesterday.
Yet, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Bangkok governor are both saying the same thing - Pongsak volunteered for the move.
BMA officials, though, insist that it was persecution that forced Pongsak to move.
"Why would I persecute him? He wants to come here himself," Abhisit insisted.
However, that is only part of the truth.
"Pongsak moved because he felt uncomfortable working with the governor. In his position at BMA, he had to rubber stamp the governor's ideas even though he disagreed with them. He could not refuse, yet as a city clerk, he had to take responsibility if the plans went haywire. He had no option but to ask for a transfer," a BMA source, who asked not to be named, said.
Previously, there were reports of conflicts between Pongsak and Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra on several issues, including staff reshuffles and BMA projects.
These conflicts often resulted in work getting delayed. Things came to a head last year when conflicts arose over the appointment of replacements for the 18 retired BMA officials and the signing of a contract with Krungthep Thanakom for management of the Saphan Taksin-Thon Buri Skytrain extension.
Pongsak did not believe Krungthep Thanakom would be up to the job even though it is a BMA subsidiary.
Other officials believe that Pongsak was being treated badly, even though he had made huge contributions to the BMA, the government and the Democrat Party.
Pongsak, who became permanent secretary during former governor Apirak Kosayodhin's term, has played a crucial role in supporting the governor. His abilities came to the fore when the red shirts were rallying at the Rajprasong intersection.
He visited the rally site often and offered support to the protesters without discrimination, thereby helping improve the image of the BMA and the government. Even human rights agencies said the BMA was respecting people's rights.
In fact, he worked so hard that he ended up in hospital. Though he has finally been discharged, doctors are still keeping a close eye on his condition. He plans to go back to work on July 1.
"Pongsak's illness is one of the reasons behind the transfer. His new responsibility would include coordinating between the BMA and the Internal Security Operations Command, and Pongsak has the experience and ability to do the job," the source said.
Though it appears that this move is no way to honour a brave warrior, it might turn out to be a win-win solution for both Pongsak and Sukhumbhand. Now, whether it turns out to be a winning situation for the PM is another story.