Selection Committee Report Proposes Chakrapong for Constitutional Court Judge, Nomination Rejected Over Qualification Deficiency
A selection committee proposed police academy lecturer Chakrapong Vivat-vanich for Thailand's Constitutional Court, but his nomination faces rejection over claims he lacks required academic credentials, including a five-year full professors
On May 4, 2025, Senate President Mongkol Surasatchaya scheduled a Senate meeting for May 5 to establish a committee to investigate the background, conduct, and ethical behavior of the nominee for Constitutional Court judge, replacing the position vacated by Chief Judge Nakarin Mektrirat. The selection committee, chaired by Supreme Court President Adisak Tuntiwongse, has proposed Chakrapong Vivat-vanich, a lecturer in police science at the Police Cadet Academy. A senator had submitted a petition requesting postponement of the selection process pending clarification of the committee's composition, citing constitutional concerns and potential conflicts of interest. The selection committee determined that the constitutional and legal provisions clearly allow the committee to proceed with the existing members and cannot delay the selection process. However, the committee received a petition challenging Chakrapong's qualifications under Article 200(4) of the constitution, which requires candidates to hold expertise in political science or public administration and have served as a full professor at a Thai university for at least five years. The petition claims Chakrapong teaches law at the Police Cadet Academy and lacks documented academic work supporting a full professorship appointment. The selection committee agreed to review and assess Chakrapong's qualifications based on these allegations, and the nominee was given an opportunity to respond.
