The time has finally come for a major rotation of officials at the Ministry of Interior. The Cabinet has most recently approved the appointment and transfer of 20 senior executives — and when one examines both the positions and the areas of responsibility involved, focusing on certain posts makes it abundantly clear that all of them belong to a "new power network" that has been deeply embedded in the Ministry of Interior throughout the era in which Anutin Charnvirakul has served as minister for many consecutive years. The moves also connect to the behind-the-scenes power bloc widely understood to be the "Buriram Group."
On 25 August, it was reported that the Cabinet (ครม.) passed a resolution approving, in line with the Ministry of Interior's proposal, a list of appointments and transfers of 20 senior officials attached to the Ministry of Interior.
This round of appointments and transfers involves rotation, reshuffling, and filling of vacancies, covering the positions of Deputy Permanent Secretary, Director-General, Ministry Inspector, and Provincial Governor, with effect from 1 October 2026 onwards.
The list of senior officials appointed and transferred is as follows:
1. Mr. Chamroen Waenphet, Governor of Surin Province, to Deputy Permanent Secretary, Office of the Permanent Secretary. 2. Mr. Rattaphon Naradit, Governor of Chiang Mai Province, to Deputy Permanent Secretary, Office of the Permanent Secretary. 3. Mr. Anupong Suksomni, Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, to Deputy Permanent Secretary, Office of the Permanent Secretary. 4. Ms. Arocha Nanthamontri, Governor of Nakhon Pathom Province, to Deputy Permanent Secretary, Office of the Permanent Secretary. 5. Mr. Theerut Suphawibulyaphon, Director-General of the Department of Local Administration, to Ministry Inspector, Office of the Permanent Secretary. 6. Mr. Somchai Leelanoi, Governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, to Director-General of the Land Department. 7. Mr. Nirat Phongsitthithawon, Deputy Permanent Secretary, to Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. 8. Mr. Teeraphат Khatchamat, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, to Director-General of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning. 9. Mr. Piya Pitnam, Governor of Buriram Province, to Director-General of the Department of Local Administration. 10. Mr. Monsit Phaisanthanawat, Governor of Chanthaburi Province, transferred to Governor of Chachoengsao Province. 11. Mr. Tossaphon Phueanaudom, Ministry Inspector, Office of the Permanent Secretary, to Governor of Chiang Mai Province. 12. Ms. Chatpra-on Niyom, Governor of Chachoengsao Province, transferred to Governor of Trat Province. 13. Mr. Phaskorn Bunyalak, Deputy Permanent Secretary, to Governor of Tak Province. 14. Mr. Natthaphong Sanguanjit, Governor of Suphan Buri Province, transferred to Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima Province. 15. Mr. Chumpitch Detkharat, Governor of Maha Sarakham Province, transferred to Governor of Nakhon Sawan Province. 16. Mr. Ekawit Meephian, Governor of Pathum Thani Province, transferred to Governor of Buriram Province. 17. Ms. Thaniya Naiphinit, Governor of Phichit Province, transferred to Governor of Pathum Thani Province. 18. Mr. Chathip Ruchanaseri, Governor of Kamphaeng Phet Province, transferred to Governor of Sa Kaeo Province. 19. Mr. Phiriya Chanthadilok, Governor of Trat Province, transferred to Governor of Suphan Buri Province. 20. Mr. Chaiwat Chuenkosum, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Office of the Permanent Secretary, to Governor of Udon Thani Province.
This reshuffle is considered a significant reconfiguration of senior officials at the Ministry of Interior, with numerous provincial governors elevated to the positions of Deputy Permanent Secretary and Director-General. At the same time, there are swaps of provincial governorships across many provinces, all taking effect officially from 1 October 2026 onwards.
Subsequently, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, gave an interview regarding the senior official appointments and transfers at the Ministry of Interior, stating that it was a routine rotation — with officials retiring, the seasonal appointments and transfers proceed as normal. When asked about the transfer of Mr. Nirat Phongsitthithawon, Acting Director-General of the Department of Local Administration, to Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), and what discussions had taken place, Anutin said that he would become the Director-General of the DDPM, and that when he was Governor of Chiang Mai he had gained experience in flood prevention — so they needed to find the most suitable person capable of carrying out disaster prevention work. He had consulted with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and they had mutually agreed that Mr. Nirat was the right fit for this role.
When asked what principle guided this round of Interior Ministry official transfers — given that previously the aim was to restore public confidence — Anutin said it was based on the principle of moral integrity and suitability, and on the principle that those appointed to each position must place the public interest as their primary goal.
When asked about the transfer of Mr. Piya Pitnam from Governor of Buriram Province to Director-General of the Department of Local Administration, Anutin replied that it was in line with rotation and "suitability" in terms of job function — each provincial governor has knowledge and experience of working together with local administrative organisations, and they proceeded according to suitability and seniority.
Although, when looking at the overall picture of names and positions in this reshuffle, it appears to represent a certain level of mutually acceptable compromise. For instance, focusing on the new position of "Governor Sembe" — that is, Mr. Nirat Phongsitthithawon, Deputy Permanent Secretary, becoming Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) — he had previously been viewed as close to the old power bloc during the Pheu Thai era, when Phumtham Wechayachai was Interior Minister. Yet this time he has been moved to become Director-General of the DDPM, which at the working level is considered a win-win for all parties.
What demands close attention, however, is the transfer of Mr. Piya Pitnam from Governor of Buriram Province to Director-General of the Department of Local Administration — a post that is currently considered to be under heavy workload, given the hot-button issue of corruption in the local administration entrance examinations. More importantly, the game must be kept "within bounds" without exception. As for Mr. Piya, his background is noteworthy: he has built his career in Buriram Province continuously — from District Chief of Mueang district, to Deputy Governor of Buriram, to Governor of Buriram — in the home territory of "the headmaster," Mr. Newin Chidchob. He has ultimately been backed to become Director-General of the Department of Local Administration today. There is no doubt that this department has important missions waiting to be resolved.
What is equally worth watching is the fact that Mr. Piya is due to retire from the civil service in 2030 — four years from now — meaning that his career path ahead within the Ministry of Interior under the Bhumjaithai Party government, with Anutin Charnvirakul presiding over the Ministry of Interior, appears set to shine brightly. The condition, of course, is that the Bhumjaithai Party remains in government for just as long.
Therefore, if one takes a quick look at this batch of Interior Ministry official transfers, it is considered to be at the top level. Viewed from another angle, it resembles a fresh round of "seat consolidation" to further support political manoeuvring — because certain key positions, such as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and the Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, have not been moved at all, with those territories held firmly in place!!
