Transfer of DSI officers ‘on merit’
THREE high-profile officers of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) were transferred on Tuesday to the Office of the Permanent Secretary (OPS) following a special request.
The order was signed by Minister of Justice deputy permanent secretary Tawatchai Thaikaew, as Justice Minister Paiboon Khumchaya and his permanent secretary Chanchow Chaiyanukij were in Germany to attend a conference on drugs.
The three transferred officers are deputy director Pol Lt-Colonel Pong-in Intarakhao, deputy director Pol Lt-Colonel Somboon Sarasit and director of the DSI’s Bureau of Development and Logistics Pol Lt-Colonel Chinnachot Putthiwattada.
They were requested specifically by the OPS.
“I understand that the Office wanted the three because they are very competent. They will hold a special position in the office following the National Council for Peace and Order’s order,” Tawatchai said.
He added that the Justice Ministry did not oppose the transfer and the vacancies would be filled as soon as possible.
DSI director Pol-Colonel Paisit Wongmuang said the transfers would not affect the agency’s |work.
Important cases under the DSI’s responsibility are usually investigated by committees so if members are missing, the rest of the committee carries on work while waiting for a replacement, Paisit said.
Pong-in used to be director of the Security Crime Bureau, which dealt with high-profile cases such as the purchase of the fake bomb-detector GT 200.
Somboon had been responsible for the investigation into embezzlement scandals involving the Klongchan Credit Union and the case involving Somdej Chuang’s allegedly illegally obtained car.
It is anticipated that Pol Lt-Colonel Kornrawtch Panprapra-korn and Pol Lt-Colonel Prawut Wogsrinil will fill the vacant deputy director positions at the DSI.
