Wongsak back as Lamphun governor

The cabinet on Tuesday approved the Interior Ministry's proposal to move Wongsak Sawasdipanich back to the post of provincial governor of Lamphun.

Deputy government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said that the cabinet, acting on the Interior Ministry's proposal, canceled the cabinet resolution of April 27 last year to move Mr Wongsak from the post of Provincial Administration Department chief to the post of inspector-general and replace him with Mongkol Surasajjang, then director-general of the Community Development Department, effective from June 1 last year.
The cancellation followed an order by the Merit System Protection Commission on March 11 this year for the Interior Ministry to reinstate Mr Wongsak as chief of the Provincial Administration Department.   The commission issued this order after Mr Wongsak filed a complaint.
The cancellation of the April 27 cabinet resolution means Mr Wongsak, who was earlier Lamphum governor, is still chief of the Provincial Administration Department and Mr Mongkol still chief of the Community Development Department.
But, since Mr Wongsak is still being investigated for a serious breach of discipline in connection with a controversial 3.5 billion baht computer leasing deal and an ID card project, if he is reinstated as ordered by the commission he could pose obstructions to the disciplinary investigation, Mr Supachai said.
Therefore, the Interior Ministry proposed that Mr Wongsak be re-appointed Lamphun governor and Mr Mongkol remain as director-general of the Community Development Department.
Surachai Khan-asa, who previously replaced Mr Mongkol as chief of the Community Development Department, is to be  director-general of the Provincial Administration Department.
The Interior Ministry's proposal was approved by the cabinet today.
The appointments of the three officials will take effect after a royal command is announced, Mr Supachai said.