Ruttapon responded ambiguously about the transfer of the DSI Director-General, deferring to the Permanent Secretary of Justice to assess based on performance. Due to media scrutiny and speculation about Police Lieutenant Colonel Piya replacing the post, he stressed that no actions have been taken yet.
On 8 Sep 2026 at the Parliament, Police Lieutenant General Ruttapon Naowarat, Minister of Justice, said in an interview regarding the DSI Director-General transfer rumors that the matter is not yet at any stage of action. The Permanent Secretary of Justice has just assumed office, and he has instructed that evaluations consider at least the past two years of performance at the division director level, focusing on concrete results. He believes the Permanent Secretary will review this, especially since the media is closely watching and scrutinizing the issue.
When asked if this means no transfers will occur, Police Lieutenant General Ruttapon said overall performance must be considered. Each division has its own responsibilities, so it is necessary to assess the extent and quality of their work.
Regarding criticisms that this is a political purge, Police Lieutenant General Ruttapon said it is not. The cases have already passed DSI’s processes. Without actual performance or results, no one can be transferred based on such claims. He considers these accusations incorrect and stressed that the Permanent Secretary of Justice is responsible for overseeing the ministry's work as a whole.
Concerning concerns about Police Lieutenant Colonel Piya Raksakul, Director-General of the Department of Probation, who is a member of the Election Commission’s Subcommittee No. 36 and part of the five-member majority that voted to dismiss corruption allegations against all 229 senators, Police Lieutenant General Ruttapon said no consideration has been given to this matter. The Permanent Secretary of Justice has only recently assumed office. Although Police Lieutenant Colonel Piya previously worked at the DSI, he has since moved to other agencies. Any appointment would require careful review of relevant information. However, the minister noted that conflicting news reports say both that the transfer will and will not happen, but in truth, the ministry has not proceeded with any such action.