Sacked Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) chief Witit Artavatkun lodged a complaint on Friday with the Administrative Court over his dismissal, asking for 49.6 million baht compensation for damage to his reputation.
Dr Witit told reporters after submitting his claim that he demanded justice for being unfairly treated and compensation for the damage caused to his reputation.
Dr Witit's legal team named four defendants in the complaint - the GPO board, GPO board chairman Pipat Yingseree, Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong and the cabinet. He also asked the court to reinstate him to the position and freeze the process of finding his replacement until a final ruling is made in the case.
Dr Witit was dismissed on May 17, half way through of his four-year contract, for alleged negligence. The cabinet endorsed the decision on May 21.
Dr Witit was earlier accused of failing to tackle delays in the construction of a vaccine production factory in Saraburi province, and failing to prevent irregularities in the procuring of ingredients to make paracetamol.
The Department of Special Investigation probed the allegations and concluded Dr Witit had violated the anti-collusion law over the construction of the 1.4-billion-baht factory. The case has since been sent to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
GPO board chairman Dr Pipat, who was named as a defendant in the case, on Thursday insisted the dismissal was based on evidence from the DSI investigation.
He said Dr Witit was sacked because he failed to comply with his employment contract and caused losses and damage to the organisation.
Dr Witit failed in his duty, according to Dr Pipat, and his dismissal was not politically motivated.