Mr Rungruang travelled to Parliament in Bangkok late last week accompanied by lawyer Pattarapong Supaaksorn, better known as ‘Lawyer Aun Buriram’, to submit a petition seeking an investigation into the transfers.
The complaint was received by House Committee on Political Development, Mass Media and Public Participation chair Pakamon Nunanan, a People’s Party list MP, and Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee.
The petition challenges an order signed by Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) Director-General Narucha Khosasilvilai (who publicly uses the name Narucha Kosacivilize) transferring Mr Rungruang, three Phuket district chiefs and the Phuket Provincial Defence Officer to assist with duties at DOPA headquarters in Bangkok.
The transfers, announced earlier this month, have generated intense public controversy in Phuket amid speculation that they may be linked to ongoing investigations and enforcement actions involving disputed public land and influential interests on the island.
COMPLAINT LODGED
Speaking after submitting the complaint, lawyer Mr Pattarapong noted that the transfer order itself contained no reference to allegations of corruption, bribery or kickbacks that had been widely discussed following the officials’ removal.
"The order only states that the transfers were made for the benefit of the government," he said.
As a result, he questioned whether political considerations may have influenced the decision.
Mr Pattarapong also highlighted a leaked Line chat allegedly involving Narucha and subordinate officials during the recent election period.
The screenshots included a message instructing recipients to ‘Help Namngern’ (‘Help the blue’), a phrase widely interpreted as referring to the Bhumjaithai Party, which is strongly associated with the colour blue.
He argued that if the messages were authentic they could indicate inappropriate political involvement by civil servants and said he was pursuing additional legal avenues to examine the matter.
Phuket MP Chalermpong linked the transfers to the officials’ work on long-running disputes involving public land at Freedom Beach, Bang Tao Beach and Nui Beach.
He suggested officials actively enforcing the law against influential interests may have faced repercussions as a result of their actions.
Mr Chalermpong called on the Ministry of Interior to conduct a transparent investigation and provide clear explanations to the public, while acknowledging that all allegations remain unproven and subject to review by the appropriate authorities.
LEAKED CHAT
The political controversy intensified after screenshots of the alleged Line conversation circulated online.
However, Interior Ministry sources have since questioned the authenticity of the screenshots after comparing information contained in the chat with official Election Commission records.
According to the sources, numerous names listed in the alleged conversation did not match registered election candidates.
In Phuket Constituency 1, one individual named in the chat is reportedly a serving district official rather than a political candidate, while the official ballot records identify a different nominee.
Additional discrepancies were reportedly found in Constituency 2, where some names belonged to individuals holding unrelated public positions or were absent from the ballot entirely.
The sources also noted that some people named in the leaked conversation remained in active government service and had not resigned in order to contest the election, further raising questions about the accuracy of the information presented.
The findings have prompted further examination of the screenshots, including efforts to determine their origin and whether they may have been altered or manipulated.
No independent forensic examination has yet been publicly released.
DOPA CHIEF REJECTS ALLEGATIONS
Responding to the controversy, Narucha on Friday (May 29) strongly denied authoring the disputed messages and rejected suggestions that the transfers were politically motivated.
Speaking at DOPA headquarters, he said he had no knowledge of the ‘Help Namngern’ message cited by Mr Rungruang and Ms Pattarapong.
"I did not send such a message," Narucha said.
He explained that his Line account was linked to multiple devices and was not used exclusively through his mobile phone, making it possible for others to access the account.
However, he said he could not identify who might have authored any message appearing under his account.
Narucha also rejected accusations that he had acted to benefit any political group.
He suggested the allegations were intended to damage his reputation following DOPA’s efforts to have the Anti-Money Laundering Office investigate the financial transactions of several Phuket officials and individuals connected to various target groups.
The DOPA chief further denied claims that the transferred officials had been punished for refusing political instructions.
According to Narucha, four of the five transferred officials – all district chiefs – were aware they had been temporarily reassigned to assist with fact-finding investigations and understood the timeframe for their eventual return.
He said only Mr Rungruang had publicly objected to the transfer order.
Narucha added that he intended to pursue legal action to defend the reputation and integrity of government officials affected by the allegations.
ANUTIN ORDERS REVIEW
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has also entered the debate, saying he had reviewed reports concerning the alleged messages and would examine the matter further.
Anutin, who is also leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, said an inquiry committee would be established if evidence of wrongdoing emerged.
He dismissed suggestions that the controversy reflected internal divisions within the Interior Ministry.
Meanwhile, DOPA issued a formal statement insisting that all officials under its supervision had strictly complied with political neutrality requirements and election laws during the campaign period.
The department also questioned several aspects of the leaked chat, including the identities of individuals named and the timing of the alleged conversations.
DOPA further suggested the allegations may have political motivations, noting they surfaced after investigations into alleged corruption and misconduct involving certain Phuket officials had begun.
CALLS FOR FORENSIC INVESTIGATION
The controversy has also prompted legal and political action from outside government.
Mr Pattarapong has submitted the leaked screenshots to the Constitutional Court as part of a petition seeking to have the election annulled.
He argued that the messages form part of broader evidence suggesting systematic political interference in the electoral process.
The petition also raises concerns about barcode-marked ballots, alleging they could compromise voting secrecy and potentially allow votes to be traced.
People’s Party deputy leader Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn has called for a forensic examination of the chat records.
Mr Wiroj said the alleged ‘Help the blue’ message would be deeply concerning if proven genuine, as it could indicate political interference, abuse of administrative authority and pressure on civil servants to support partisan interests.
He warned that such conduct, if established, would undermine political neutrality and public confidence in the electoral process.