Ex-Otep chief faces investigation over 'irregularities'

Education Ministry permanent secretary Kamjorn Tatiyakavee yesterday disclosed that he planned to recommend a disciplinary probe against Somsak.
“Another option is to terminate his employment contract and initiate criminal proceedings against him,” he said.
According to Kamjorn, a preliminary investigation shows that the Otep’s Bt360-million project to construct housing buildings for teachers and educational personnel in Chiang Mai province was mired in irregularities.
“After three years, the project has had only three foundation pillars and has revised its plans several times,” Kamjorn said.
Somsak lost the post of Otep secretary-general last week, as National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha – under Article 44 of the Provisional Constitution – abruptly transferred many key personnel in the country’s educational sector.
Education Minister Narong Pipatanasai yesterday issued an order assigning Pinijsak Suwanrang – an inspector-general at the ministry – to serve as acting secretary-general of Otep as Somsak had vacated the post.
The order has also assigned the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary Kamol Siriban to double as acting secretary-general of the Teachers’ Council of Thailand. The ministry’s inspector-general, Suthep Chittayawong, will double as acting director of the Business Organisation of the Office of the welfare Promotion Commission for Teachers and Educational Personnel.