NLA names new ombudsman
The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday endorsed General Wittawat Ratchatanan, 62, as the new ombudsman with 170 votes. He was previously the deputy permanent secretary at the Defence Ministry.
Three NLA members voted against him while four others abstained.
Wittawat, who is also known as “Ood”, hails from Prachin Buri. He was part of pre-Cadet Academy Class 11, Chulachomklao Military Academy Class 22 and completed his master’s at Thammasat University.
He rose through military ranks and in 1989 he served as a close aide of the then-Defence Ministry’s permanent secretary. In 2012, he served as acting permanent secretary at the Defence Ministry.
Also yesterday, the NLA voted to promote General Disthat Hotrakit from his position as deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Council of State to secretary-general. His promotion was backed by 174 votes, while four members abstained.
The NLA decided not to set up a panel to check the general’s records as his background had already been checked when he joined the NLA.
