Wissanu issues warning over ombudsman selection
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Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has described the decision by National Council for Peace and Order chief Prayut Chan-o-cha to suspend the problematic selection process for the chief ombudsman as a good move because it could prevent a “grave conseq
Wissanu said the move was unlikely to have a detrimental effect as the outgoing chief ombudsman, Siracha Vongsarayankura, could continue in the job.
“[The selection] may result in a grave impact,” he said. “If we can suspend it, grave consequences will not take place.”
The selection process for the new chief ombudsman had been conducted after Siracha’s term ended on April 5.
The selection committee proposed Rewat Visarutvej to replace Siracha but in the subsequent National Legislative Assembly (NLA) vote there were 66 votes in favour of the nomination and 66 votes against it, with 24 votes to suspend the selection.
Rewat re-applied for the position, with the selection committee voting 30 times amid heavy criticism before finally re-nominating him for the post on July 5.
Prayut invoking the all-powerful Article 44 has also suspended the selection process for the election commissioners, Constitutional Court judges, members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the national human rights commissioners.
The order to cancel the selections was announced in The Royal Gazette on Wednesday. The NPCO said that given the referendum on the charter draft was yet to occur, selections should be suspended to ensure effective reform in the five constitutional agencies.
