Politics
Thai Cabinet Appoints New DSI Chief Amid Administrative Reshuffle
The Thai Cabinet has approved the transfer of DSI official Yutthana Phraedam to the Prime Minister's Office, appointing Piya Raksakul as the new Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation.
On September 22, 2026, the Thai Cabinet officially approved a significant administrative reshuffle within the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). Justice Minister Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthapon Naowarat announced that Pol. Maj. Yutthana Phraedam has been transferred to the Prime Minister's Office to serve as a special expert, a position described as equivalent to a Level 11 rank—comparable to a Permanent Secretary.
Minister Rutthapon addressed public speculation regarding the appointment of Pol. Capt. Piya Raksakul as the new DSI Director-General. He denied allegations that the move was politically motivated or intended to influence ongoing legal cases, such as the Senate collusion investigation. The Minister emphasized that the decision was based on an evaluation of performance over the past two years and asserted that Yutthana’s new role is a promotion rather than a demotion.
For residents and expatriates, this change in leadership at the DSI—the agency responsible for high-profile and complex criminal cases—may signal shifts in how specific investigations are prioritized or managed. While the government maintains that the reshuffle is a standard administrative adjustment, the political context surrounding the appointment remains a subject of public debate. Further developments regarding the specific mandates of the new DSI leadership and the impact on pending investigations remain to be confirmed.
