The Central Administrative Court yesterday ordered the revocation of a transfer order for former interior permanent secretary Peerapol Traitosavit, issued by the Democrat-led government more than three years ago.
Mr Peerapol was transferred to the Prime Minister's Office to serve as an adviser to then prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Jan 20, 2009.
Mr Peerapol said the transfer was unfair and later filed a malfeasance lawsuit against Mr Abhisit and then deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who approved the transfer.
According to the suit, Mr Suthep had cited a lack of work efficiency and suitability as reasons to transfer Mr Peerapol, despite the fact the official had been in the top post at the ministry for just three months and the Democrat-led government had only been in power for a month.
After Mr Peerapol was moved to the advisory post, the Interior Ministry appointed deputy interior permanent secretary Wichai Srikwan to succeed him.
The former interior permanent secretary said the reasons behind his transfer were illegitimate and asked the court to revoke the order.
The court yesterday ruled in favour of Mr Peerapol and awarded him benefits associated with the interior permanent secretary post that he rightfully should have kept. The court rejected claims by the defendants that the transfer was necessary as they wanted Mr Peerapol to help the government with several important tasks at the PM's Office.