Fifteen City Hall officials, including four top executives of a district, are facing a disciplinary probe for suspected negligence in failing to obey an Administrative Court order related to the dispute over illegally operated markets in the Seri Villa housing estate.
City governor Aswin Kwanmuang announced on Thursday the 15 officials fall into three groups. There are seven public works officials, four environment and hygiene officials, and four senior executives at a district level. Their names were not disclosed.
Earlier, Pol Gen Aswin told a press conference the Administrative Court has granted legal protection to three sisters -- Boonsri, Ratanachat and Ranee Saengyoktrakan -- two of whom smashed a pickup truck blocking the driveway to their house in the Seri Villa housing estate in Prawet district.
The women had complained for years about the markets surrounding their home, which were causing noise pollution and other disturbances. At the centre of the controversy are the Ple, Yingnara, Suan Luang 1, Rungwanit and Rom Lueang markets.
The sisters had obtained an Administrative Court injunction ordering the markets to cease causing them problems. However, the women insisted City Hall and the Prawet district office did not enforce this.
Pol Gen Aswin said the 15 officials had a role to a play in enforcing the injunction but they had failed to do their job properly. The severity of any disciplinary action will depend on their duties.
Early this month, a panel looking into the markets recommended disciplinary action against senior officials for allowing them to keep operating, officials said on Thursday.
Niran Praditkul, the deputy chairman of the Bangkok City Council and head of the panel, said that at least 20 senior officials at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were liable for criminal and disciplinary action.
