The National Anti-Corruption Commission has ordered disciplinary action against the chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) for approving the maximum salary increase for his wife.
The NACC received a complaint that Thanya Nethithammakul had abused his authority as director of the DNP in evaluating an official's performance and increasing her salary.
His wife Pissamai Nethithammakul, a general administration official, was given a 6% increase, the maximum rate, in the first round of evaluations in 2016.
According to Thai media reports, department officials at the protected area region 8 office in Khon Kaen, where Ms Pissamai worked, complained they were unfairly treated in the first round of evaluations.
Even though they had worked hard they had received a pay rise of less than 3%, while Ms Pissamai was given the maximum 6%.
They lodged a complaint with the NACC, accusing Mr Thanya of abusing his authority to approve the maximum salary increase for his wife.
According to the complainants, Ms Pissamai's performance was not outstanding but she received the biggest salary increase regardless, while officials whose performance was outstanding were given only 5%.
