Ruttapon affirmed that the transfer of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice is not politically motivated. He explained that Pongsawat has completed a full term cycle and needed to be rotated. He denied appointing Piyasiri due to political pressure, noting that Piyasiri had previously worked in the ministry and has a reasonable understanding of the work.
At 08:50 on 8 July 2026 at the Government House, Police Lieutenant General Ruttapon Naowarat, Minister of Justice, addressed the Cabinet meeting decision on 7 July, which followed the proposal by the Office of the Prime Minister's Secretary-General to transfer Mrs. Pongsawat Nilayothin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, to serve as Advisor to the Prime Minister for Civil Service Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office. The Cabinet also appointed Mr. Piyasiri Wattanawarangkul, Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre and a senior executive there, to take over as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice. When asked if politics was involved, he confirmed there was no political interference, as Mrs. Pongsawat had served a full 4-year term ending on 18 July and thus required rotation.
When asked whether she could not continue for a fifth year, Police Lieutenant General Ruttapon said she could continue if the minister decided so. Mrs. Pongsawat had served a long time, completing four years. He reaffirmed the transfer was routine as most civil servant positions, including police, require rotation after four years.
When asked if the replacement appointment involved political pressure, Police Lieutenant General Ruttapon denied it, saying that Mr. Piyasiri had previously worked in the ministry in several roles. He believed Mr. Piyasiri had a fair understanding of the work and that the position was equivalent in rank.
When asked about concerns that Mrs. Pongsawat's transfer was a form of sidelining, Police Lieutenant General Ruttapon said other officials already held the role. The new position is equivalent in rank and does not cause any loss of rights or benefits.