Suphat summoned to panel

Former Department of Intellectual Property deputy chief Suphat Saguandeekul who stole hotel paintings in Japan is required to meet a disciplinary panel on Wednesday to acknowledge a charge of committing a serious disciplinary offence, deputy permanent secretary for justice Dusadee Arayawuth said.

Pol Col Dusadee said the panel agreed in a meeting yesterday to lay a charge of committing a serious breach of discipline against Mr Suphat.

The panel found there was reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Suphat grossly violated discipline by committing the theft, he added.

The five-member disciplinary panel chaired by Pol Col Dusadee also comprises Rewadee Weerawutthipon, Winai Nikoruanjamrus, Pitak Mingsuk and Sujarit Janpeng.

The probe was ordered by commerce permanent secretary Wiboonluk Ruamraksa after a panel earlier concluded Mr Suphat committed a serious breach of discipline as the theft undermined the country’s reputation.

Mr Suphat was arrested for stealing three paintings worth about ¥15,000 (about 4,600 baht) from a hotel in Japan last month.

He was released from detention in Japan after he paid for damages to the hotel and admitted to the theft. He has since returned to Thailand and was suspended pending the probe.

Pol Col Dusadee said a state official found guilty of committing a light disciplinary offence would be dismissed but still receive a pension. However, those found guilty of committing a serious disciplinary offence would be fired and not receive any pension.