Changes in heads of Investigations (DSI) and Narcotics (ONCB)

[Mark]

The press made a big story over the transfer of the head of the Department of Special Investigations (DSI), Sunai Manomai-udom.

He had been moved there during the military dictatorship, when the DSI was leading investigations of Thaksin and his wife.

The current PPP government moved him over to acting secretary-general of the newly-established Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption, which is not such a bad place to be for the former judge. He didn't seem upset at all.

Replacing him at the top of the DSI is a guy who was currently the deputy secretary-general of the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). This may play in with the newly announced resumption of the war on drugs.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008...s_30066233.php

JUSTICE MINISTRY

Sunai loses top job at DSI

Transfer from agency probing cases against ex-PM Thaksin comes suddenly

Published on February 23, 2008

Justice Minister Sompong Amorn-wiwat yesterday approved an order to transfer Sunai Manomai-udom out of his top post at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Sunai was the first top official to lose an important position since the new government came to power.

As soon as the People Power Party-led coalition government was installed, it was widely speculated that officials close to Thaksin Shinawatra and his allies would get important posts at key government agencies. Word spread that officials close to the Council of National Security (CNS) and Surayud Chulanont-led administration would be out of favour with the new government.

The People Power Party is the new home of members of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party, which was dissolved last year.

Sunai, a former judge, is seen as close to the Surayud Chulanont-led government.

Following the coup that removed Thaksin from power, the Surayud led administration replaced Sombat Amornwiwat, a younger brother of Sompong, with Sunai as head of the DSI.

The DSI is handling many crucial cases, among them the alleged irregularities in loans given by Krung Thai Bank to Krisadamahanakorn Group and many extrajudicial killings during the Thaksin government's war on drugs.

The DSI has also recently asked public prosecutors to prosecute Thaksin and his wife for their allegedly concealing their shares in SC Asset.

By Sompong's abrupt order, Sunai will have to serve as the acting secretary-general of the newly-established Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption from February 25 on. This new office is under the supervision of the Justice Ministry.

"I have yet to see the order in writing," Sunai said. However, he acknowledged that Justice Ministry permanent-secretary Charan Pakdeethanakul had telephoned to tell him about the transfer.

Sunai said he did not feel anything about the order. "It's common for a civil servant," he said.

An informed source said Charan might soon be transferred to the post of inspector-general at the Prime Minister's Office.

With Sunai removed from the DSI, Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) deputy secretary-general Tawee Sodsong will become acting director-general. Rumours have spread that Tawee is to return to the DSI in a high position because he is close to Thaksin's allies.

When Thaksin was ousted, Tawee was transferred from the DSI to the ONCB.

The Nation

[Mark]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008...s_30066459.php

DSI POSTING

Revenge not the issue, says Sompong

Sunai's move to NCCC-like agency was because of his capabilities

Published on February 26, 2008

Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat yesterday defended his decision to transfer Sunai Manomai-udom out of his top post at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), arguing he has trusted Sunai with other important work.

"The transfer is not a demotion … I see Sunai as a very capable and good person," Sompong said at a press conference.

Sunai was the first top official to lose an important post since the new government came to power. During the previous administration, Sunai replaced Sompong's younger brother, Sombat Amornwiwat, as the director general of DSI.

"I am not taking revenge on Sunai," Sompong said. "The transfer order is not intended to do favours for Thaksin Shinawatra".

Following a coup that removed him from power, Thaksin has lived in self-imposed exile but is set to return to Thailand soon. The DSI has been handling many important cases, some of them relating to Thaksin or his government.

Sompong yesterday insisted that he transferred Sunai to the newly-formed Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption because Sunai's capabilities were needed there.

"He is well qualified to head this new agency. He can put the right men in the right post there. He can get things started there," the justice minister said.

Sompong said he would thank Sunai for coming to work at this new agency when they met next time.

"The work at this new anti-graft agency is very important," Sompong said, adding the agency would be similar to the Office of National Counter Corruption Commission.

Asked why he chose Tawee Sodsong as the new head of DSI, Sompong said Tawee was qualified for this job because he had served as the deputy-director general of DSI.

Sompong, however, remained vague as to why Tawee was chosen over the more senior deputy-director general of DSI - Tharit Pengdit.

"There are many things for him [Tharit] to do," he said.

Tawee was seen as close to Thaksin's allies. Following the coup against the Thaksin-led government, Tawee was transferred out of DSI to the Office of Narcotics Control Board.

Commenting on his transfer, Sunai said he would let society decide whether his transfer was appropriate. So far, he said his work at the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption was important and he was now the first official there. "I will ensure the new agency is truly independent. If it works out well, I will return to the courts," said Sunai, a former judge.

While Sompong said he consulted Justice Ministry permanent-secretary Jaran Pakdee-thanakul about the transfer, Jaran insisted, "I was involved in discussions but I did not propose Sunai as the head of the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption".

The Nation