New health officials

The transfer was needed because six senior level10 health officers were due to retire, he said.

Six senior health officers have been transferred.

The head of the Department of Mental Health, Dr Somchai Chakrabhand, will move to become head of the Department of Disease Control. He will be replaced by Dr Chatree Banchuen, currently secretary general of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Deputy permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry, Dr Pipat Yingseree, will move to be FDA secretarygeneral.

Dr Siriwat Thipayadol, who is a general inspector, will be the new deputy permanent secre¬tary.

Dr Somyos Deerasmee, a general inspector, will become head of the Department of Health Support Services. And Dr Nara Nakkawattananukul will be directorgeneral of the Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine.