Sukhumbhand suspended from duty
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha Thursday invoked Article 44 of the interim constitution to suspend Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra from duty with immediate effect.
Prayut invoked the article in his capacity as the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order.
The order, which was published in the Royal Gazette Thursday, stated that Sukhumband was suspended from his duty but he has not yet been removed from his post until further notice.
The order asked government agencies concern to conduct a graft probe against Sukhumbhand and said he would be reinstated if the probe cleared him.
Sukhumbhand has been hit with a series of scandals. Among other things, the Office of the Auditor General alleged that there were irregularities behind the New Year lighting project.
A source from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said the governor was at Hong Kong airport for a transit when the order was issued. He was flying to Seoul, South Korea, to attend an event to celebrate Twin City between Bangkok and Seoul. He is due to return to Bangkok on August 28.