Suthipong Juljarern, director-general of the Department of Community Development (DoCD), has been promoted to interior permanent secretary in the latest reshuffle of high-ranking officials at the Interior Ministry, said deputy government spokeswoman, Traisuree Taisaranakul.
The shake-up also included the shift of Lampang governor Narongsak Osottanakorn to be Pathum Thani governor.
Mr Narongsak was credited with Lampang's success in logging the country's second-highest vaccine appointment number for senior citizens early in the registration.
He was also a well-known figure behind the 2018 rescue operation of "Moo Pah", the young "Wild Boar" football team trapped in a cave in Chiang Rai where he previously served as governor.
Incumbent Pathum Thani governor Chaiwat Chuenkosum, who reportedly has close ties to Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, will be transferred to serve as deputy interior permanent secretary.
Mr Suthipong, 57, has three more years left before retirement. A political science graduate from Chulalongkorn University, he was appointed as Nakhon Nayok governor at the relatively young age of 46.
He also served as inspector-general, governor of Saraburi and Chai Nat, a deputy permanent secretary and head of the Department of Local Administration.
Suthipong: New permanent secretary
According to the asset declaration Mr Suthipong and his wife, Wandee Khunchornyakong Juljarern, made to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the couple own 10.2 billion baht worth of assets between them and have no debts.
Meanwhile, Mae Hong Son governor Sitthichai Jindaluang will succeed Mr Narongsak as governor of Lampang province.
Deputy interior permanent secretary Somkid Chanthamaruek will replace Boontham Lertsukheekasem as director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
Mr Boontham will take Mr Suthipong's place as the DoCD chief.
Narongsak: Set to be Pathum Thani governor