The acting head of the Corrections Department Tuesday defended her signing of appointment orders for 38 department officials, arguing that her move didn't involve policy and all the appointment process had been approved by a committee.
Mr Witthaya and Ms Phonphit explain the appointments at the Corrections Department in Nonthaburi on Tuesday. THITI WANNAMONTHA
Department deputy chief Phonphit Noraphumphiphatchai approved the appointments of the C8-level officials July 4, a day after the junta replaced her boss, Corrections Department chief Suchart Wong-anantachai, with former Justice Affairs Office boss Witthaya Suriyawong. Mr Suchat was named inspector-general at the Justice Ministry.
All the appointments involve supervisory positions controlling different detention zones in prisons.
Critics questioned the validity and haste of the appointments, which Ms Phonphit made in an "acting chief" capacity. They cast doubts on whether she had the authority to make such a move just a day after Mr Witthaya was appointed her superior.
Complying with a request by acting permanent secretary for justice Chanchao Chaiyanukit to remove public doubt over the lawfulness of the appointments, Mr Witthaya and Ms Phonphit held a joint press conference Tuesday.
Ms Phonphit said she was eligible to sign the appointment orders because they didn't involve policy matters, making it unnecessary to wait for Mr Witthaya's decision.
Furthermore, she said, the selection process of the 38 officials previously had been approved by a department committee. The positions had been open since October so Ms Phonphit likened the July 4 order to an announcement of examination results.
She noted that the order did not put the new officials in permanent positions. All will be required to pass a two-month, performance-based probation period before their permanent appointments would be considered by the Justice Ministry.
Ms Phonphit insisted she adhered to the principles of good governance. She argued that the 38 officials selected came from a pool of 736 applicants and those who lost out may be trying to discredit her so the new department chief would order the selection process redone.