Panel looking into charges against Panita meets next week
The panel investigating alleged disciplinary offences committed by high-ranking official Panita Kambhu na Ayutthaya will convene its first meeting next Tuesday.
Panita has protested against the recent Cabinet decision to transfer her out of her post as permanent secretary at Social Development and Human Security Ministry.
Tongthong Chandrangsu, permanent secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, is chair of the panel looking into Panita’s alleged wrongdoing.
Panita has been accused of inappropriately spending money from donations and food budgets on 22 educational trips for officials when in charge of the Department of Social Development and Welfare (DSDW).
The Office of the Auditor General has recommended |disciplinary action against |Panita and all officials involved in alleged inappropriate use of funds.
It has also demanded that guilty officials return the money to the state.
“In our first meeting, we will examine documents, check the background of the case, and develop our guidelines,” Tongthong said yesterday.
Asked whether the probe would be expedited, Tongthong said he had not received an order for the review to be sped up.
The Social Development and Human Security Ministry has also ordered a probe into Panita and the officials involved.
Other members of Tongthong’s disciplinary panel are Phanchai Rattanachai, deputy permanent secretary for the Office of the PM, Office of Attorney General special prosecutor Pairach Pornsomboonsiri, National Statistical Office director Wiboontat Suthanthanakit, DSDW finance director Maneerat Suwantarat, and Supon Borisuth, legal chief at the National Office for Empowerment of Persons with Disability.
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