Bangkok art centre director 'fired'

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre director Pawit Mahasarinand says the centre's new board has terminated his employment from next Tuesday over his remark about City Hall's financial support.

In a letter to media on Tuesday, Asst Prof Pawit said the board that took office on May 31 resolved on Aug 31 to "fire" him, and he was required to continue working as director until close of business next Monday.

He said he was told that an evaluation committee was dissatisfied with his past remark to journalists on financial support from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

Asst Prof Pawit said he rejected an offer from the board that he instead resign, for a better image. He also said he had requested disclosure of the evaluation report on his performance.

He resigned from the faculty of arts at Chulalongkorn University on March 1 last year after more than 25 years of service to take up the position at the country's biggest art centre.

At that time he was informed his probation would last one year and his contract could be extended for three more years, he said.