Bangkok: "Attakorn" has addressed the media following the cancellation of a meeting with the Director-General of the Royal Rainmaking Project, expressing his hope that the situation does not escalate into an act of political revenge, while also lamenting the loss of a dedicated individual.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Attakorn Sirilatthayakon, a member of parliament for Chachoengsao and spokesperson for the Kla Tham Party, as well as a former Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, reported that Mr. Rachen Silapraya, the Director-General of the Royal Rainmaking Department, requested a postponement of his petition for justice at Parliament. The petition pertains to Mr. Rachen's abrupt dismissal, which is suspected to have resulted from his non-compliance with certain political agendas. Mr. Sirilatthayakon was contacted by Mr. Pai Lik to discuss the issue and apologized for any delays caused by Mr. Pai's post. Mr. Rachen cited the need to assess various aspects of the situation and to prepare his defense as reasons for the postponement. Mr. Sirilatthayakon expressed his regret over Mr. Rachen's dismissal, describing him as a competent and proactive individual. He also noted that reports suggest the new Director-General will be a younger individual with more experience in water management.
Mr. Sirilatthayakon commented on the potential for political revenge, stating that whether the change in leadership will be beneficial remains to be seen, and emphasized that any suspicion of political retaliation is unfair to civil servants. He acknowledged discussions with Captain Thamanat, affirming the need for scrutiny by the opposition party. He refuted claims that a meeting took place on the 4th floor of a political party building on Ratchada Road, suggesting it might be a misunderstanding. The possibility of the meeting occurring elsewhere and the potential for recorded conversations are matters requiring further investigation. Mr. Rachen is determined to defend the dignity of civil servants.
The opposition parties plan to proceed with their inquiries. If the transfer complies with legal standards, they will not oppose it. However, should there be evidence of bias or retaliation, they will initiate an investigation through the House of Representatives to address any issues affecting both high-ranking and low-ranking civil servants. Mr. Attakorn emphasized the importance of discussing the matter with Mr. Rachen before determining any violations under Section 157 of the Criminal Code, stating, "We'll have to see."