The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health announced the decision to dismiss Dr. Supat from government service over the ATK kit procurement case, confirming that there was no external order and that everything complied with official regulations, procedures, and laws.
Following rumors that the Subcommittee of the Ministry of Public Health's Civil Service Commission voted 4:3 to dismiss Dr. Supat Hasuwannakit, or Dr. Supat, from government service over ATK procurement during the COVID-19 outbreak,
Today (28 Jan 2026), the Ministry of Public Health held a press conference on this matter led by Dr. Somrak Jungsaman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, along with Dr. Amporn Benjapolpitak, Director-General of the Department of Health, and Dr. Kittisak Aksornwong, Director-General of the Department of Mental Health—three of the voices supporting Dr. Supat’s dismissal. Also present was Mr. Ketkaew Khaosai, Director of the Office of Standards, Discipline and Integrity at the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Office. All three confirmed there was no external order; all actions followed regulations, procedures, and government laws.
The timeline was outlined starting from 13–17 February 2023, when the Ministry’s Internal Audit Group inspected Chana Hospital and reported their findings to the Permanent Secretary as usual.
On 7 March 2023, an investigation committee was appointed; on 8 May 2023, a serious disciplinary inquiry committee was formed. On 21 July 2023, the chairman of this inquiry received the order and proceeded according to the Civil Service Commission Act on disciplinary procedures, B.E. 2556 (2013). Every step complied with the law, including notification, meetings, informing the accused, who attended and denied all allegations, submitting detailed written explanations.
On 23 September 2025, the inquiry committee submitted its investigation report and recommendations to the Permanent Secretary, who approved the findings and forwarded the case to the Civil Service Subcommittee for disciplinary consideration after review on 4 December 2025.
On 22 January 2026, the Subcommittee met and resolved to dismiss Dr. Supat from government service. The disciplinary order is now in process following the subcommittee’s decision. It is confirmed that all procedures and timelines fully complied with legal requirements.
The order stated that Dr. Supat procured and approved ATK test kits purchases in amounts not exceeding two million baht per transaction, up to five times. This conduct was deemed an improper official act seeking benefit and caused damage to the government. The inquiry committee concluded it was a serious disciplinary offense and recommended dismissal.
In the past, there have been several cases where officials committed similar offenses in splitting procurement purchases and were punished with dismissal or termination.
When reporters asked whether Dr. Supat’s punishment was appropriate, Mr. Ketkaew Khaosai stated that the appropriateness of the punishment depends on the evidence gathered and how the inquiry committee weighed it. In this case, the punishment is deemed suitable.
Regarding Dr. Supat’s claim that the subcommittee’s decision might be void because it must await approval from the full Civil Service Commission, Mr. Ketkaew explained that by law, waiting for the full Commission’s approval is not necessary; the ministry only needs to report the disciplinary order to the full Commission.
When reporters pressed further on whether a future full Commission decision contradicting the subcommittee’s would invalidate the original decision, Mr. Ketkaew said that according to the law, the Ministry of Public Health must follow the full Commission’s ruling.