Bangkok: Chulaphan Amornvivat, Minister of Labour and leader of the Pheu Thai Party, has dismissed the controversy surrounding the transfer of Mr. Rachen Silapraya, asserting it to be a strategic maneuver by the opposition.
According to Thai News Agency, Chulaphan addressed the ethics complaint against Mr. Suriya Jungrungruangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, regarding the reassignment of Mr. Rachen from his role as Director-General to inspector-general within the Ministry. Chulaphan emphasized that it is the legal right and duty of relevant agencies to adjudicate the matter, and expressed confidence in Mr. Suriya's innocence based on information available to the party.
Chulaphan highlighted that the review of government budgets and the adjustment of civil servants are standard practices, reflecting the normal operations of ministerial duties. He cited his own role as Minister of Labour, where budget discussions and approvals are routine, reinforcing that there is nothing unusual about such processes. He attributed the issue to a shift in governmental policy approaches following a change in administration, emphasizing that these adjustments align with departmental objectives.
The Minister underscored that the opposition's actions are perceived as political maneuvering. He affirmed the commitment of Pheu Thai Party members, including cabinet ministers under Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, to focus on delivering impactful results for the public. Chulaphan dismissed concerns about potential influential forces within the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, asserting the party's resilience and dedication to policy-driven governance.
Chulaphan also addressed the question of whether the Pheu Thai Party or Mr. Suriya needs to provide clarification to the Prime Minister, particularly given the government's emphasis on ethical issues. He noted that ethics have been a significant concern in previous administrations, referencing the government of former Prime Minister Settha Thavisin. Chulaphan indicated that the current administration, led by Mr. Anutin, consistently engages in discussions about ethics, and believes the Prime Minister is aware and acting in accordance with the directives from the Minister of Agriculture.