Court president sacked for malfeasance

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015
Court president sacked for malfeasance

The Administrative Court's judicial commission has dismissed from office the Supreme Administrative Court president Hassavut Vititviriyakul for committing malfeasance in seeking the promotion of a police officer.

The commission made the decision by a majority vote at its meeting on Wednesday.
In a press release, the commission admitted there was no damning evidence to prove Hassavut had assigned Derekrid Janekrongtham, secretary-general of the Office of the Administrative Courts, to write two informal letters to the national police chief and one of his deputies in 2013 and 2014 seeking the promotion. 
In the letters, Hassavut allegedly asked for Lt-Colonel Choothares Yingyongsakul, a deputy superintendent at Bangkok’s Hua Mark Police Station, to be promoted to its superintendent as a favour.
The police officer is reportedly a close friend of Hassavut’s nephew.
However, the commission found there was sufficient proof that Hassavut abetted Derekrid’s action, the court said in the press release.
The judicial commission found that Hassavut had committed a code of conduct violation and failed to protect the dignity of his position.