The Pheu Thai party has urged the caretaker government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to stop transferring senior government officials during the current transition period.

The party also urged permanent secretaries of all ministries to delay the planned reshuffle of high-ranking officials, until there is an instruction from the new government, which is yet to be formed.

In a statement issued today (Friday), Pheu Thai, the core party in the coalition trying to form the new government, also referred to the Constitution, which restricts caretaker governments from approving projects which will be binding on its successor. It also prohibits the caretaker government from reshuffling permanent officials and officials of state enterprises.

The party insists that this is an established practice with which the caretaker government must comply, as it described as “unacceptable” the government’s claim that several senior government officials will be retiring soon.

It also said that government officials, especially permanent secretaries, are an important resource for an incoming government and they must be responsive and able to implement its policies.

In the same statement, Pheu Thai said it expects good cooperation from all government officials, for the betterment of the people and country as a whole.