Ex-dean handed suspended jail term over wedding
THE former dean of the Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital at Navamindradhiraj University in Bangkok has been given a 30-month suspended jail and a Bt10,000 fine for using state-owned vehicles and equipment at his daughter’s wedding.
Dr Chaiwan Charoenchokthawee appeared at the Ratchadapisek Criminal Court yesterday to face the charge of wrongfully exercising duties as a state official and damaging the state based on sections 151 and 157 of the Penal Code.
According to the lawsuit filed last June, Chaiwan, as dean of the Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, ordered officials to bring 100 chairs, two video recorders, a video player, a camera, tents and four faculty vehicles from the university for use at the wedding in January 2011.
Public prosecutors indicted him after the National Anti-Corruption Commission determined in 2013 that he had committed an offence.
Chaiwan at first denied any wrongdoing but later pleaded guilty.
The court initially gave him a five-year prison sentence and a Bt20,000 fine but halved the punishment because he confessed.
The court also took into account that he had repented and paid compensation to the state, and that he had a long career as a doctor and it was his first criminal offence.
After the verdict was read, Chaiwan paid the fine and left the court without commenting to the media.
