The former Phuket Chief Secretary fights back by suing the Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration for violating Section 157 for failing to remain politically neutral regarding the leaked Line message 'Help Blue Party.' He was also transferred to assist in government service without valid reason.
On 20 Jun 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that Mr. Rungrueng Thimabut, the former Phuket Chief Secretary who was transferred due to the leaked Line message 'Help Blue Party,' filed a lawsuit against Mr. Narucha Khosasivilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration and former superior, at the 8th Regional Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct. The charge is official misconduct under Section 157, concerning wrongful performance or neglect of official duties, filed in early June.
The complaint states that Mr. Narucha, as Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, is a lawful official. Under the Civil Service Act, officials must remain politically neutral and are strictly prohibited during election candidate registration periods from directly or indirectly supporting any candidate, in accordance with the constitution. However, after the election registration date was announced on 15 Dec 2025 GMT+7, the plaintiff was ordered by the defendant to report on election developments and information in Phuket Province.
On 8 Jan 2026 GMT+7 at 20:46, the plaintiff reported to his superior and added the Director-General's Line account linked to phone number 092-xxx-xxxx. He maintained communication and submitted a copy of the election situation report on 9 Jan 2026 GMT+7. Later that day at 08:05, Mr. Narucha sent a Line message saying 'Help Blue Party,' with 'Blue Party' being widely understood to refer to a specific political party. This constituted misconduct and a failure to maintain political neutrality.
This was an order issued by the superior to use administrative powers and government mechanisms to benefit a political party, violating the principle of political neutrality required of state officials and constituting misuse of official position.
Such actions violate laws and government regulations and undermine electoral fairness. The plaintiff did not comply with the order and has performed his duties impartially. Although the favored political party lost the election, the administrative system suffered damage. After the election, the defendant retaliated by abusing power, ordering the plaintiff's transfer to assist at the College of Local Administration without valid reason. While in that role, the plaintiff enforced protection of a 65-rai beachfront forest, filing 23 cases but was subjected to harassment and allegations related to complaints from entertainment venues. The defendant's actions constitute official misconduct under the charge of wrongful performance of official duties.