Sukumpol retroactively impeached as defence minister

Sukumpol retroactively impeached as defence minister

ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat (left) attends the National Legislative Assembly meeting last month when the National Anti-Corruption Commission proposed his retroactive impeachment. (Photo by Krit Promsaka na Sakolnakorn)
ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat (left) attends the National Legislative Assembly meeting last month when the National Anti-Corruption Commission proposed his retroactive impeachment. (Photo by Krit Promsaka na Sakolnakorn)

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) voted 159-27 on Friday to retroactively impeach former defence minister Sukumpol Suwanatat for interfering in the appointment of the defence permanent secretary in 2012.

As a result of the impeachment, ACM Sukumpol was banned from government and political offices for five years.

ACM Sukumpol, 65, told reporters after the vote that the vote might have been swayed by orders and lobbying but he would not be affected by the impeachment because he was not a career politician and had not decided whether to remain in politics.

Last year, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) charged him with abusing power over the appointment of the defence permanent secretary when he was in the Yingluck Shinawatra government. The anti-graft panel considered him as interfering in the ministry's internal transfers.

Before the annual military reshuffle in October 2012, it was reported that ACM Sukumpol wanted Gen Thanongsak Apirakyothin, the then assistant army chief, to succeed Gen Sathian Phoemthong-in as the defence permanent secretary but Gen Sathian planned to promote deputy defence permanent secretary Gen Chatree Thatti.

On Aug 27, 2012, ACM Sukumpol transferred Gen Sathian and Gen Chatree to be officers attached to the defence minister's office and Gen Thanongsak became the successor.

An impeachment is done retroactively in Thailand even though the accused no longer holds the office because it has political implications. An impeached person is barred from running for any political office for five years under the NACC law. 

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