Olympic gold boxing medalist and naval officer Somluck Kamsing is expected to report to his supervisors this week, after the court declared him bankrupt.
Somluck: Naval officer, boxer, actor
The issue has drawn public attention after the Legal Execution Department's (LED) order to have his and his wife's assets seized and managed by its office was published in the Royal Gazette on Friday.
Citing the Central Bankruptcy Court's order on Aug 9 which effectively declared Mr Somluck and his wife, Saowanee, bankrupt, the department said the couple's assets will be managed by its office.
Navy spokesman Rear Admiral Chettha Jaipiam said the Olympic champion, who reportedly holds the rank of captain, has until the end of next week to report to the navy as part of their personnel regulations.
He said the query of whether Mr Somluck will lose his job will be decided by the Naval Civil Affairs Department next week. The Naval Personnel Department and the Office of Naval Judge Advocate General will also determine if he will be dismissed from the military service.
Rear Adm Chettha's comments follow speculation that the former boxer will be dismissed from the military in the wake of the LED's order. Tawatchai Thaikyo, deputy permanent secretary for justice, wrote on Facebook that Mr Somluck, if declared bankrupt, will be dismissed from military service. He said a bankrupt person is not allowed to work in the civil service sector.
Ruenvadee Suwanmongkol, the LED's director-general, said the couple can still negotiate with their creditors over debt payments. But if they forfeit their rights to negotiation, the department will proceed with seizing the couple's assets.
Mr Somluck, the first Thai athlete to win a gold medal in 1996 in the Atlanta Games, appeared in good spirits yesterday, saying his family would get through this difficult time. He said the debts, which stand at around 4 million baht, were accumulated from a failed petrol station business he opened in Chaiyaphum several years ago, and the financial dispute was just recently settled which drove him deep into the red.
"I'm thankful for the concerns the fans have shown me." he said. "I'm doing fine and getting the support I need. My children are grown up and they have good jobs. I also have my acting career. It's really fine."