The cabinet on Tuesday approved the appointment of Ansit Samphantharat as the new permanent secretary of the Ministry of Interior, taking over from Suttipong Juljarern, who will retire on September 30th. Mr. Ansit is currently the director of the Department of Provincial Administration at the ministry.
In a concurrent decision, the cabinet also approved Supachai Pathumnakul as the new permanent secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation. Mr. Supachai currently serves as the deputy permanent secretary.
Interestingly, Mr. Ansit will not reach retirement age until 2031. This swift ascent has stirred some whispers, as it’s rather unusual in the Thai civil service for someone to reach the pinnacle of a ministry before they hit 58 or 59 years of age. Speculation aside, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul insists the selection of Mr. Ansit was purely merit-based.
“We work together and respect each other. We will progressively work together and continue our work until the very end,” Mr. Anutin noted.
Rumors surrounding Mr. Ansit’s appointment gained traction due to his attendance at a social gathering at a Khao Yai resort, led by none other than Mr. Anutin and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. It’s worth mentioning that Mr. Suttipong also reportedly endorsed Mr. Ansit’s appointment, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the whole affair. Both men are also alumni of Chulalongkorn University, perhaps strengthening their bond and mutual support.
Mr. Ansit began his career as an analyst for the Chachoengsao administrative office before taking on various administrative roles across multiple provinces. His journey saw him ascend through the ranks, including his appointment as the head of the Community Development Department in 2022, and eventually leading the Department of Provincial Administration a year later.
The narrative of Mr. Ansit’s rapid rise is captivating, peppered with elements of camaraderie, respect, and a dash of speculation. Is his ascent simply a tale of deserving merit, or is there more beneath the surface? Time will tell as Mr. Ansit steps into his new role and steers the Ministry of Interior towards its future endeavors.
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