The director-general of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Pol Col Suriya Singhakamol, has been removed and appointed as the deputy permanent secretary of justice by the cabinet.

No explanation was given for Suriya’s abrupt transfer, but it is speculated that this sudden move stems from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s dissatisfaction with the performance of the DSI in the crackdown on illegal import and smuggling of frozen pork, which is harmful to the local industry, reduces prices and risks the spread of animal diseases.

During a recent meeting with the DSI chief, for an update of the illegal pork problem, the prime minister openly voiced his dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in addressing the problem.

In his Facebook post today, Suriya wrote that he has been fully aware, from the moment he assumed his post, that this day would come, but had chosen to walk this path from the beginning.

Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong did not propose a replacement for Suriya to the cabinet today, although he proposed a few transfers of senior officials in the ministry for approval.

DSI officials are currently investigating the Siam Makro wholesale chain, a subsidiary of the CP Group, for having bought imported frozen pork and pig offal from two companies charged with the illegal importation of frozen pork. A total of 161 cargo containers of frozen pork have been impounded at Laem Chabang deep-sea port since September.

On November 14, Siam Makro issued a statement claiming that it stopped buying pork from one of the two companies in the middle of last year, after it was discovered that its products were not up to standard.