Authorities Strip Former School Director of Royal Decorations for Misconduct
Authorities have revoked the royal decorations of a former school director in Surat Thani after he was dismissed for serious disciplinary violations and later convicted of corruption. The move follows a final court judgment and is based on regulations allowing the recall of honors. His name has been removed from the official list of recipients.
The Royal Gazette announced on October 8, 2026 that the Prime Minister’s Office has granted royal permission to recall the decorations awarded to Mr. Somchai Sithichain, former director of Ban Tha Mai School in Surat Thani Province, Special‑Grade Director, under the Office of the Basic Education Commission, Ministry of Education. The revocation is based on his serious disciplinary breaches, which resulted in his dismissal from civil service on June 18, 2018, and a final judgment on June 17, 2025 sentencing him to imprisonment for offenses related to his position and violations of the anti‑corruption act (as amended). The action follows Clauses 6 and 7 (2) and (4) of the Regulations on Requesting Royal Permission to Recall Decorations, B.E. 2548. His name has been removed from the official list of decoration recipients. The announcement was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Yotsanon Wongsa‑ard on October 5, 2026.
