Bangkok Post – Suspension imminent

Legal proceedings will prevent Charn from carrying out his duties

Charn Phuangphet, who recently won the election as chairman of the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) in Pathum Thani, will be suspended from duty once he takes office, a senior source at the Interior Ministry said.

Authorities in Pathum Thani province have informed the Ministry of Local Government, which oversees local government units across the country, of the move, the source said.

Mr Charn, a candidate of the Pheu Thai Party, won the election as PAO chairman on June 30 despite widespread scepticism due to an abuse of office trial he faces in connection with his previous service as PAO chairman more than a decade ago.

In 2012, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) found reason to believe that Mr Charn had committed misconduct in the PAO’s procurement of relief supplies during the 2011 floods.

The NACC then referred the case to the Region 1 Corruption and Misconduct Criminal Court, which suspended Mr Charn from work later that year.

The next court hearing in the case will take place later this month to determine whether he should face suspension, whether a new court order is required or whether the Department of Local Administration has the authority to punish him.

“The Pathum Thani governor oversees the province’s local administrative bodies and will abide by the opinions of the State Council. In this case, he has informed the Interior Ministry that he is ready to issue a suspension order,” the source said, referring to the State Council.

“The matter does not require intervention by the Home Secretary.”

In response to the Home Office’s query about the case, the CoS, the government’s legal arm, stated that the law requires the suspension of a local political officeholder as a preventive measure if he or she is found guilty of a civil or criminal offence.

Pakorn Nilprapunt, secretary-general of the CoS, also confirmed this week that a new court order to suspend Mr Charn was not needed as the power to suspend him from work now rests with the Department of Local Government.

Meanwhile, Pathum Thani Deputy Governor Pongsatorn Kanchanajittra, in his capacity as acting governor, issued a memo in late April outlining the steps to be taken if local political officials are officially accused of wrongdoing by the NACC.

If the court accepts the case, the accused must cease his duties and immediately report the case to the governor or county commissioner. Anyone who fails to comply will face an investigation and possibly dismissal from office.