Thailand Cabinet approves major Ministry of Interior reshuffle

The Thai Cabinet has approved a major reshuffle of 20 high-ranking officials within the Ministry of Interior. The appointments, which include deputy permanent secretaries, department directors-general, inspectors-general, and provincial governors, are set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Key leadership changes include Nirat Pongsitthithavorn moving to Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, while Teerapat Katchamat transitions to Director-General of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning. Somchai Leelanoi, formerly the Governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, has been appointed Director-General of the Department of Lands, and Piya Pijnam, the Governor of Buriram, will serve as Director-General of the Department of Local Administration.

The reshuffle also involves several provincial governor appointments, such as Thossapol Phuean-udom returning to serve as the Governor of Chiang Mai.