Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon today denied accusations the military had pressured Thammasat University into firing outspoken lecturer Somsak Jeamteerasakul for violating university rules.
Rector Somkid Lertpaitoon signed the dismissal order for the exiled lese majeste suspect Tuesday, arguing he had ignored orders to return to work after fleeing the country shortly after the May 22 coup for defying an order for him to report to the National Council for Peace and Order.
In a statement released late Tuesday, Mr Somsak - a history lecturer in the Faculty of Liberal Arts who has been a staunch critic of the military junta and the lese majeste law - suggested his termination was politically motivated. He said he felt the university had been pressured by the military to take action against him.
Gen Prawit, who also is a deputy prime minister, today denied the accusation, saying Mr Somsak's dismissal was solely a university matter.
Thammasat said Mr Somsak had requested to take a sabbatical from Aug 1 to July 31, but the request was rejected.
The Faculty of Liberal Arts later issued a memorandum, dated Dec 26, for Mr Somsak to return to work to teach two courses in the second semester of 2014, but he did not respond. He instead submitted a resignation letter, requesting it take effect Dec 30, but that request also was rejected. The university then decided to terminate him.
Thammasat officials claimed Mr Somsak intentionally abandoned his duties and failed to properly follow instructions and regulations regarding leave, causing severe damage to the school's reputation. Moreover, the university had to pay Mr Somsak salary and other benefits while he was away without permission.
Mr Somsak has, therefore, been fired for gross violation of discipline under Section 39 of the Higher Education Civil Service Act of 2004 and the university's regulations.
After Mr Somsak left Thailand, a complaint was filed on July 16 against him for defying the NCPO's order to report. In the complaint, he additionally was accused of lese majeste under Section 112 of the Criminal Code for an article he wrote earlier.