Royal Honors Stripped From Nine Dismissed Judges
Nine judges dismissed for serious misconduct, including corruption and ethics violations, have had their royal honors revoked by decree published in the Royal Gazette on September 17, 2026.
The Royal Gazette published a royal decree on September 17, 2026, authorizing the revocation of royal decorations from nine former judges of the Court of Justice who were dismissed from civil service for serious misconduct. The revocation was carried out under sections 6 and 7(4) of the Office of the Prime Minister's regulations on the revocation of royal honors, B.E. 2548. The first case involves Lertpong Pumnawee, secretary to the Court of Appeals Region 2, dismissed on February 8, 2021, for serious disciplinary violations including corruption, failure to comply with civil service regulations and judicial ethics standards, causing severe harm to state interests. His royal decorations at all ranks are revoked, including the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, the Most Illustrious Order of Chakri, the Third Class Order of the White Elephant, the Third Class Order of the Crown of Siam, and the Second Class Orders. The second case involves Sarawut Siriphanuruk, a Supreme Court judge dismissed on June 7, 2021, for non-serious disciplinary violations related to failure to follow civil service protocols and judicial ethics. Although investigation did not confirm grounds for dismissal, termination was ordered due to perceived misconduct that would harm the state. The third case involves Prames or Komsarn Towiwat, a judge presiding over the criminal court for corruption and misconduct cases, Region 1, dismissed on October 1, 2021, for serious violations including interference in other judges' case deliberations, undermining judicial independence and integrity, and breach of civil service protocols and ethics. His royal decorations at all ranks are revoked. The complete list includes eight judges total with similar revocations of honors across all assigned ranks.
