The reinstatement of Thawil Pliensri as National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general could be approved by caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as early as next week.
Thawil: In the dark on job reinstatement
PM's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva said on Friday that if Ms Yingluck signs off in time, the court order to reinstate Mr Thawil could be endorsed by the cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday.
If the matter does not get onto the cabinet agenda in time for its weekly meeting, it would be put up for consideration the following week, he added. Mr Suranand insisted Mr Thawil's reinstatement would be formalised within the 45-day deadline set by the court.
The Supreme Administrative Court on March 7 ruled the government’s removal of Mr Tawil from the post in 2011 was unlawful.
In his petition to the court, Mr Thawil suggested his transfer was ordered to allow Pol Gen Priewphan Damapong — elder brother of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's former wife, Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra — to become police chief and his predecessor, Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree, to become NSC chief.
Pol Gen Wichean was later transferred to the post of permanent secretary at the Transport Ministry, while Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanatabut took the top NSC posting.
The court ruling has prompted a group of senators to seek a Constitution Court ruling on whether Ms Yingluck's premiership is still valid. They claim the premier might have violated Section 268 of the charter by transferring Mr Thawil.
Mr Suranand said Mr Thawil will return to the NSC secretary-general post, adding that Lt Gen Paradorn will be appointed prime ministerial adviser.
Lt Gen Paradorn said he has not received any information about his new job despite being in regular contact with Mr Suranand.
