BANGKOK, 26 September 2014 Former Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defense Gen Wittawat Ratchatanan has been appointed a new ombudsman and the matter will be sent to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for approval. Out of 21 applicants in total, the selection committee chaired by Supreme Court President Direk Ingkhaninant has chosen Gen Wittawat for the post of ombudsman by four to two votes, which is not less than the minimum requirement of two-thirds.
Gen Wittawat’s appointment is set to be included in the meeting agenda of the NLA for official endorsement very soon.
Once endorsed, Gen Wittawat will succeed Mr Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, who resigned from his ombudsman post on September 1 this year in order to take up the role of NLA President. Gen Wittawat’s previous positions include Director-General of the Defense Information and Space Technology Department, Director of the Office of Policy and Planning for Defense and Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defense.
