Inquiry sought into Paiboon, Poldej

Inquiry sought into Paiboon, Poldej

PM urged to review transfer of Wallop

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has been urged to investigate Social Development and Human Security Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham and his deputy Poldej Pinprateep for making public the adultery allegation made against a high-ranking ministry official. The prime minister yesterday received a petition from three unidentified people claiming to be social development ministry officials. They said the incident had tarnished the reputation of the ministry and that the minister and his deputy had ulterior motives for making public the allegations.

The officials submitted the petition to Gen Surayud through the cabinet secretary.

They asked the prime minister to review his decision to transfer Wallop Ploytubtim, permanent secretary of the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, to an inactive post over claims of malfeasance and alleged adultery.

The petitioners distributed copies of the letter to Government House reporters before leaving in a van.

In the letter, the three officials said there were no damaged parties in the alleged adultery and the complaints against Mr Wallop were anonymous.

Mr Wallop also said his transfer was unfair and he would complain to the Civil Service Commission and file an action against the transfer order with the Administrative Court.

''I feel I'm not being treated fairly,'' he said.

The petitioners yesterday accused Mr Paiboon and Mr Poldej of having ulterior motives in running the ministry. The ministers had brought chaos and disunity to the ministry, they said.

They alleged that the ministers had devised a plan to sideline Mr Wallop by moving him from the ministry to pave the way for their close aide to take up the senior post.

On Dec 26, Gen Surayud transferred Mr Wallop to an inactive post and launched a disciplinary inquiry into allegations of malfeasance and adultery brought against him.

He will be dismissed from the civil service if found guilty.

A source said Mr Wallop is facing six charges including the inflated valuation of collateral by the ministry's pawnshops, the misappropriation of funds for the poor, funds of the ministry's foundations and funds of a self-help land scheme, as well as alleged unfair reshuffles in the ministry and adultery with a subordinate.