The regime has decided to remove Fisheries Department chief Wimol Jantrarotai for making slow progress in addressing illegal fishing amid concerns Thailand is still at risk of being slapped with a red card by the European Union (EU).
The EU issued a second yellow card warning to Bangkok in April last year for not doing enough to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, which could lead to an EU ban on Thai seafood products.
The EU has yet to set a deadline for reviewing the country's yellow card status after reviewing the country's progress in cleaning up the fishing industry in January.
- Govt admits tardiness in responding to EU fishing sanctions
- EU to maintain 'yellow card' sanctions on seafood exports
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chatchai Sarikulya said Wednesday Mr Wimol tended to take an academic approach and his achievements were below par.
He has made slow progress and several targets have not been reached, Gen Chatchai said.
Wimol Jantrarotai: Suddendly the former chief of the Fisheries Department.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha Wednesday invoked Section 44 of the interim charter to transfer Mr Wimol to become a special inspector-general attached to the Prime Minister's Office.
Deputy director-general Adisorn Promthep assumes the fisheries chief role.
The transfers were aimed at improving administration efficiency in the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, which oversees the Fisheries Department, according to his order.
Gen Chatchai said he believed the new director-general would be able to expedite the campaign to stamp out IUU practices.
"During this period of time, it is urgent we eradicate IUU practices since it has been almost one year since the EU issued the yellow card," Gen Chatchai said. "I want to see the Fisheries Department adjust its work to be more fluid and effective and this is the reason the department director-general had to be changed."
He also said if the new director-general's work is unsatisfactory, a change will be made immediately.
"I have tried to find a capable person who has confidence in his work," Gen Chatchai said.
As the department has been restructured, it should be able to speed up efforts to deal with several issues, the minister said.
A government source said Wednesday a Thai negotiating team on IUU issues, led by the Thai ambassador to the United Nations, Virachai Plasai, warned the government that there are still several obstacles to addressing the problem, which could lead to a red card being issued.
The source declined to disclose many details about the warning but said one of the problems was a lack of cooperation between the navy and the Fisheries Department. The navy, which is playing a key role in stopping illegal fishing practices, is stringent and decisive in its work, while the department adopts academic principles.
"Another key concern is about political motivation. As long as Thailand is under military rule, the country faces the risk of a negative outcome from the EU," he said.
A navy source said it was unlikely a rift between the navy and the department was the cause of Mr Wimol's removal. It more likely stemmed from problems between Mr Wimol and his deputy, Mr Adisorn. The source said "they did not appear to get along well".
Command Centre to Combat Illegal Fishing spokesman Vice-Admiral Chumpol Lumpikanon said he did not know why Mr Wimol was removed and it was a matter for senior figures to consider.
"We are following all the EU recommendations. I don't know if there will be political motivation involved but EU will need to clearly justify its decision," he said.
Col Sirichan Ngathong, deputy spokeswoman of the National Council for Peace and Order, said 85% progress had been made in eradicating IUU practices.