BMA targets four officials over New Year lighting scandal

A source at the BMA said on Friday its Civil Service Commission had resolved to fire three officials for alleged dereliction of duty and otherwise punish a fourth who has since retired.
The officials are Pranee Sattayaprakob, former BMA deputy permanent secretary and former director of the BMA Culture, Sports and Tourism Department; Thawatchai Channgam, deputy director of the BMA Culture, Sports and Tourism Department; and tourism development officials Morakot Phumpanich and Sitthichok Apiban.
The source said Bangkok Governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang would announce their dismissals and provide details later this afternoon (Friday, November 24).
The commission is to inform related agencies about its resolution and will ask BMA Culture, Sports and Tourism Department director Chalermpol Chotinuchit and BMA permanent secretary Pattarut Tantranont to obtain the governor’s signature for the dismissal order.
The four officials can launch an appeal with the BMA Merit System Protection Commission.
Since Pranee is now retired, relevant laws must be considered regarding back pension and other benefits accrued since she left the post, as well as a royal decoration she received.