Ministry To Discipline Five Officials In Corruption Probe
Five high-ranking officials in the Department of Local Administration face disciplinary action following a corruption probe by the Interior Ministry, with penalties ranging from suspension to termination if violations are confirmed.
The Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, Arrsit Sampuntarat, announced progress following a fact-checking committee chaired by Deputy Permanent Secretary Santhithorn Yimlammay. Five civil servants in the Department of Local Administration have been found to have sufficient grounds for disciplinary charges. The Interior Ministry will establish a serious disciplinary investigation committee for all five officials. If violations are found, penalties will be imposed according to the nature of misconduct, such as salary reduction or suspension. If corruption is discovered, termination from government service will follow. However, officials confirmed that while all five individuals have demonstrated clear dereliction of duty that facilitated corruption, determining the specific stages of misconduct requires completion of the investigation. The Interior Ministry's discipline and personnel development unit is preparing the disciplinary order with names to be specified clearly. The five officials are confirmed to be high-ranking government employees. The Permanent Secretary will sign the final order. The investigation will not be limited to these five officials, as the network will be expanded to include anyone found to be involved, such as those connected to TOR.