The Interior Ministry’s transfer of more than 45 senior officials, including several provincial governors, has sparked criticism over whether the reshuffle was based on merit or the BJT’s attempt to consolidate political power ahead of next year’s elections, reports the Bangkok Post.
Academics and opposition figures say the shake-up, approved by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, reflects political patronage rather than administrative reform. They warn it could disrupt local governance and deepen central control.
Pornamarin Promkerd, of Khon Kaen University, said the reshuffle was “more about political retaliation than solving problems”.
He said several governors, installed by the previous Pheu Thai Party-led administration, were transferred after less than two weeks in office, calling the move proof that “appointments serve political ends rather than local needs”.
He urged reforms allowing citizens to elect their provincial governors for the sake of accountability and policy continuity.
In Chiang Mai, professor emeritus Thanet Charoenmuang of Chiang Mai University said the transfers were clearly politically motivated.
With the government’s four-month working timeline and the expectation of a House dissolution, he said, “It’s normal they’d position loyal officials in key provinces ahead of polls.”
Chiang Mai, once a Pheu Thai stronghold, has become a major battleground after the People’s Party (PP) gained seven House seats there.
He said frequent governor changes - sometimes after just months - undermine continuity and morale, calling it “a system designed for politics, not governance”.
Phuket’s newest Governor, Saransak Srikruanetra, was transferred after just 14 days, for example.
The reshuffle has also revived public debate about direct gubernatorial elections, particularly in Chiang Mai, where civic groups argue that elected governors would work for long-term development free from political interference.
Three PP MPs from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Phuket condemned the reshuffle as disruptive and politically driven. Phetcharat Maichomphu, Chiang Mai MP, said it came just as the province was preparing to address the PM2.5 haze crisis.
“How can a new governor unfamiliar with local issues continue the effort?” she asked.
Chulalak Khansutham, Chiang Rai MP, criticised the transfer amid a toxic spill affecting four major rivers, saying it forced the province to restart its response plan.
In Phuket, MP Thitikan Thitiphrutthikul said the reshuffle derailed major infrastructure and tourism management projects. “This is a hallmark of central interference. We need decentralisation so appointments serve people, not power networks,” he said.
Somkid Cheuakong, former Pheu Thai MP, accused Anutin of using the reshuffle to strengthen his party’s influence in the bureaucracy. “Some governors hadn’t even started work before being transferred. This is political retaliation between blue and red camps,” he said.
He warned the move would force civil servants to take sides politically.
- Additional reporting by The Phuket News