The Judicial Commission has disciplined three judges in separate misconduct cases, removing two over conduct that damaged public confidence in the judiciary.
The decisions were made at the commission's meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Supreme Court president Adisak Tantivong at the Court of Justice headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Nai Road.
In the first case, the committee reviewed an investigation into a former judge accused of giving investment advice to a co-investor, which also led to a conflict with a fellow judge. The judge previously served as a senior appeals court official and was reportedly denied promotion to the Supreme Court before retirement following complaints over the investment dispute.
The committee ruled the conduct breached judicial discipline and affected the dignity of the office. The punishment was initially set as suspension of promotion or salary increases for three years. However, the penalty was waived because the judge has already retired from the judiciary.
In the second case, the committee dismissed a judge for serious disciplinary violations after finding the official falsely signed attendance records for after-hours duty related to search and arrest warrants while failing to report for work. The judge also received overtime payments despite allegedly leaving the area for personal matters.
Reports said the official was serving as chief judge of a provincial court on an island in the South when the misconduct occurred.
In the final case, the committee dismissed a former judge over allegations of arranging lawyers for defendants and demanding money from complainants in connection with legal proceedings and asset protection contracts. The conduct seriously damaged the reputation and integrity of the judiciary.
