The seven ousted board members of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) are eligible to re-apply for their positions as a new selection process is set to begin, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
He said there are no rules or policies that prohibit the seven from applying for their old jobs because they have not been sacked on corruption grounds. They were removed under the broad-ranging Section 44 of the interim charter.
His comments came after the ThaiHealth board set up a panel on Friday to select seven people to fill the vacant seats. The panel, chaired by Udomsilp Srisaengngam, has 30 days to find replacements.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Narong Pipatanasai, who chaired the meeting, voiced scepticism over the eligibility of the sacked members and planned to ask the Council of State for a recommendation.
The ThaiHealth board has resumed working after the NCPO issued an order appointing Chamnan Pichetthapan to replace Vichai Chokevivat as deputy chairman.
The appointment of the new deputy board chairman allows the current 17-member board to resume work.