Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit is qualified for a cabinet post despite being found to have breached discipline in connection with the Alpine land case in 2002 because he has been cleared of wrongdoing under a pardon act, interior permanent secretary Phranai Suwannarat said on Sunday.
Earlier, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) ruled that Mr Yongyuth had breached discipline in connection with the Alpine case.
The Interior Ministry's civil service subcommittee, using the NACC's ruling, decided in a Sept 14 meeting that Mr Yongyuth be dismissed retroactively as interior deputy permanent secretary from Sept 30, 2002.
The meeting was chaired by Mr Phranai, the deputy chairman of the subcommittee.
Mr Phranai said since Mr Yongyuth's wrongdoing occurred before 2007 he is entitled to benefit from a pardon which was issued on the occasion of the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King. The law took effect from Dec 5, 2007.
Under Article 5 of the act, government officials who committed a wrongdoing before 2007 are to be cleared of any involvement.
Therefore, Mr Yongyuth still has the qualifications required to hold a political post, Mr Phranai said.
Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit called on the opposition not make this matter a political issue by seeking Mr Yongyuth's removal.
Mr Yongyuth is the leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, concurrently holding the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister.