Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan has been reappointed as the director-general of the Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS), as part of the restructuring of the peace process in the far South.
Charnchao Chaiyanukij, acting permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice, said yesterday that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) approved the appointment of Khunying Porntip on Tuesday and he received the official order on Thursday. The order took immediate effect, he said.
Under the order, Khunying Porntip swaps her position as inspector-general at the Justice Ministry with military doctor Lt Col Anek Yomjinda, the former chief of CIFS.
The NCPO said the transfer was aimed at improving forensic science investigations and finding solutions to problems in the southern border provinces.
Lt Col Anek replaced Khunying Porntip as the CIFS director-general in May last year.
Khunying Porntip, 60, said yesterday she will resume her work straight away.
She said that she intends to apply scientific knowledge and ensure fair treatment for all people as part of her investigations into crimes in the far South.
She admitted forensic work on cases involving the southern insurgency progressed slowly in the past.
Authorities had faced many hindrances, she said.
They were allegedly prohibited from sending the results of DNA tests to the military and had to avoid coming into conflict with police, Khunying Porntip said.
Worse, Khunying Porntip added, forensic science officials had been removed completely from the far South.
Lt Col Anek said he will obey the order.