The Public Health Ministry will conduct a "serious" disciplinary probe against a senior official accused of molesting several of his female subordinates.
Sophon Mekthon, permanent secretary for public health, said an internal inquiry had shown the official had committed the wrongdoing as accused, so a disciplinary probe will be carried out next to decide on the punishment for him.
Dr Sophon was unveiling the results of the probe into the scandal after a female subordinate of the official lodged a complaint with police with a video clip showing an incident in which she was sexually harassed, dragged across a room, and had her breasts fondled.
Despite the accused official's claim that it simply was his way of teasing and having fun with his subordinates, the panel found his behaviour at the office and while he was in uniform unacceptable, said Dr Sophon.
More importantly, his actions caused his subordinates to feel humiliated and embarrassed.
They had to put up with the behaviour of their superior, as they could not identify any clear way to seek redress, said Dr Sophon.
All in all, the accused official's behaviour fits the definition of sexual harassment as stated in the Office of the Civil Service Commission's code of conduct, he said.
Aside from this particular official, his superior also faces an associated probe in which he stands accused of turning a blind eye to the inappropriate acts of his subordinate, said Dr Sophon.
His superior was aware of what happened to the accused official's subordinates for quite some time although he was not informed of it directly by the women, said Dr Sophon.
The panel probing the superior recommended a "non-serious" disciplinary investigation be conducted against him, said Dr Sophon.
The same committee will conduct both disciplinary probes into the officials and the results are expected in 120 days, he said.
In the serious disciplinary investigation, there are only two possible penalties: dismissal without losing work benefits, and dismissal with all such benefits terminated, he said.
As for the non-serious disciplinary probe, possible penalties range from a written warning to a permanent salary cut, he said, though he added that not everyone is punished in the end.
Kiattiphum Wongrachit, a deputy permanent secretary for public health, said the female subordinate who spoke out against the sexual harassment was worried about her safety after going public about the behaviour of her boss. The clip of her being harassed, released as she made her police complaint, went viral.
The ministry has asked her colleagues and relatives to help ensure her safety while commuting between home and work.
Jadet Chaowilai, director of the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation, a non-governmental organisation campaigning against sexual violence and prejudice, said the foundation will closely monitor the two disciplinary probes until their results are made available.
A clear complaint mechanism and measures against such abusive behaviour should be put in place permanently to make sure these issues are tackled even after the current permanent secretary's retirement, said Mr Jadet.
