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Published on December 26, 2007

Three other officials, meanwhile, are set to face probes for grave disciplinary offences and criminal wrongdoing.

Wanlop was transferred to an inactive post in the Prime Minister's Office in October.

Deputy Social Development and Human Security Minister Poldej Pinpratheep yesterday said Surayud had agreed to the disciplinary investigation.

"This decision is based on the results of an investigation by a fact-finding panel," Poldej said.

Chaired by Justice Ministry permanent secretary Charan Phakdithanakul, the panel found Wanlop had failed to perform his duties properly because he did not act on complaints that there were irregularities at the ministry's pawnbroker office.

The office had given unusually high prices for pawned items, costing the ministry more than Bt40 million, the panel found.

"This is a dereliction," Poldej said.

The panel also found 58 foundations Wanlop chaired had spent their funds in a way that might not be in line with their objectives. The budget for study tours was notably high.

"The order to establish a committee for a disciplinary probe should come out no later than next week," Poldej said.

He was speaking after he had reported the investigation's results to Surayud and the Social Development and Human Security Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham.

Poldej said Wanlop would not be further investigated for his alleged affair with a subordinate, because there was no clear evidence to prove it.

Paiboon said the investigation results implicated three other officials for grave offences.

"Wanlop will face a disciplinary probe, but three other officials will face probes for grave disciplinary offences," he said.

Poldej did not identify the three other officials by name, but said they were C-9, C-8 and C-6 ranking officials.

The Nation