The court dismissed the case brought by the former Chief Officer of Phuket against the Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, stating the department acted lawfully. There were allegations of soliciting money, but the plaintiff was not an aggrieved party and had no standing to sue.
On 7 August 2026, reports stated that the Regional Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 8 delivered a judgment on 3 August 2026 in a case where Mr. Rungrueng Thimabut, former Chief Officer of Phuket, sued Mr. Narucha Kosasivilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration. The case concerned official misconduct related to Department Order 1512/2569, which transferred the plaintiff from Phuket to serve at the College of Local Administration without reasonable cause.
The court noted that the transfer to the College of Local Administration followed complaints from business operators and residents alleging the plaintiff solicited money. The plaintiff was initially ordered to leave the area before the transfer order was issued. The Department of Provincial Administration complied fully with legal procedures. The court found the plaintiff was not an aggrieved party and lacked the authority to file the lawsuit, thus dismissing the case.