Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI) chief Somkiat Wattanasirichaikul was abruptly dismissed yesterday, after he was accused of obstructing the HSRI board from doing its job.
Deputy Public Health Minister Somsak Chunharas said after a board meeting yesterday that the board decided to terminate Dr Somkiat's contract.
The deputy minister said the board concluded that Dr Somkiat broke rule No.6 of the hiring contract by obstructing the board. Dr Somsak declined to disclose details of Dr Somkiat's alleged wrongdoing.
An HSRI source said the board cited a recent meeting as grounds for Dr Somkiat's dismissal.
At a meeting on Nov 24, Dr Somkiat, who should have been working in the capacity as board secretary, assigned a representative to attend the meeting in his place while he was on an overseas trip, but he did not allow the representative to act as the board secretary, resulting in board resolutions being delayed.