VACANT OMBUDSMAN'S SEAT
MONGKOL BANGPRAPA
The powerful and the famous are among 81 candidates vying for a single ombudsman's seat up for grabs.
They include former high-ranking government officials, provincial governors, police, soldiers and senators.
Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman secretary-general Sriracha Charoenpanich said the number of applicants was far greater than anticipated.
The new ombudsman will replace Poonsup Piya-anant, whose term just expired in June, and work alongside ombudsmen Gen Teeradej Meepien and Pramote Chotimongkol.
Among the candidates are former senator Chirmsak Pinthong, former defence chief adviser Bannawit Kengrian, former senator Adm Kholak Charoenruk and former audit commissioner Chaiyachet Sunthornpipit.
Former senator Vit Rayananond and former assistant national police chief Pol Lt-Gen Wanchai Srinualnat also filed applications.
Mr Sriracha said the list would be sent to government agencies to screen qualifications. Among the requirements, candidates must be over 45, hold a bachelor's degree or over, and not have been a member of a political party.
The seven-man screening panel will meet on Friday to vote. The successful candidate must have at least two-thirds of the votes, or five votes, he said.
Mr Chirmsak said he is mulling dropping out of the race, a decision he must make before Friday. He said he was concerned that the ombudsman is banned from pursuing other opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
"I don't want to zig-zag like PM Samak Sundaravej, who claimed he hosted cooking TV shows for free," he said.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Next
