The Royal Gazette published a decree ordering the recall of all royal decorations from nine former judicial officials of the judiciary who had received royal honors of all classes, due to their dismissal and removal from service.
On 17 September 2026, the Royal Gazette website published a decree concerning the royal permission to recall royal decorations. It states that royal permission has been graciously granted to recall all classes of royal decorations awarded to nine former judicial officials of the judiciary, due to their dismissal and removal by final orders under Sections 6 and 7(4) of the Prime Minister's Office regulations on requesting royal permission to recall decorations, B.E. 2548 (2005), as follows.
1. Mr. Lertpong Pumnawin, secretary of the Court of Appeals Region 2 under the judiciary, committed serious disciplinary offenses including corruption in his official duties, failure to observe official protocols and judicial ethics, causing serious damage to the government, and grave misconduct under the Judicial Officials Act B.E. 2543 (2000), Sections 77(1), (3), and (5). He was dismissed from service effective 8 February 2021, the date of his suspension order, and must return his royal decorations: the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, and other related decorations.
2. Mr. Sarawut Siriphanurak, judge of the Supreme Court under the judiciary, committed minor disciplinary violations for not following official protocols and judicial ethics as prescribed by the Judicial Commission under the Judicial Officials Act B.E. 2553 (2010), Section 62, and the Code of Judicial Ethics, Articles 1 and 43. While investigations found no grounds for dismissal or removal, he was deemed to have a tarnished reputation, which could harm the government if he continued in service. He was removed from service effective 7 June 2021 and must return various royal decorations including the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, and others.
3. Mr. Poramet or Mr. Komsan Towiwat, Chief Criminal Judge of the Anti-Corruption Court Region 1 under the judiciary, committed serious disciplinary offenses by interfering with the adjudication of other judicial officials, undermining their independence and fairness. This conduct implied corruption and violation of official protocols and judicial ethics as prescribed under the Judicial Officials Act B.E. 2543 (2000), Sections 62 and 66, and the Code of Judicial Ethics Article 37. He was dismissed effective 1 October 2021, the date he was suspended and relieved of his position, and must return all related royal decorations including the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant and the Emperor’s Medal.
4. Mr. Chayakorn Thanawat, or Mr. Wichathamnat Suwankota, or Mr. Chayakorn Suwankota, judge of the Phuket Provincial Court Juvenile and Family Division under the judiciary, committed serious misconduct under Section 77(5) of the Judicial Officials Act B.E. 2543 (2000). He was dismissed effective 23 May 2022 and must return royal decorations including the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand and related honors.
5. Mr. Atthaphon Phetkaew, judge of Songkhla Provincial Court under the judiciary, committed serious disciplinary offenses including negligence causing government damage, failure to observe official protocols and judicial ethics, and interference with bail decisions of other judicial officials, compromising their independence and fairness. Under Sections 57, 62, and 66 of the Judicial Officials Act B.E. 2543 (2000) and the Code of Judicial Ethics Articles 1, 11(2), and 37, he was deemed deserving of dismissal, effective 19 January 2023, and must return royal decorations including the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand and others.
6. Mr. Chanawut Boonketkogon, Chief Judge of Nan Provincial Court under the judiciary, committed serious disciplinary offenses under Section 62 of the Judicial Officials Act B.E. 2543 (2000) and the Judicial Administration Committee’s regulations on official vehicles and compensation, B.E. 2547 (2004), Article 34. He was dismissed effective 2 January 2023 and must return royal decorations including the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand and the Emperor’s Medal.
7. Mr. Anan Thanawattanakul, Chief Judge of Ranong Provincial Court under the judiciary, committed serious disciplinary offenses by interfering with other judges’ discretion in bail decisions, undermining judicial independence and fairness, and failing to observe official protocols and judicial ethics as prescribed by the Judicial Officials Act B.E. 2543 (2000), Sections 62 and 66, and the Code of Judicial Ethics Article 37. He was dismissed effective 29 February 2024 and must return royal decorations including the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant and the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.
8. Mr. Pradit Akratavitthong, Chief Judge of Mukdahan Provincial Court under the judiciary, committed serious disciplinary offenses by neglecting official duties, failing to dedicate his time to government service, and violating official protocols and judicial ethics as prescribed under Sections 58 and 62 of the Judicial Officials Act B.E. 2543 (2000) and the Code of Judicial Ethics Article 35. He also committed acts that could damage the dignity of his position, violating Sections 60(2) and 62 and the Code of Judicial Ethics Article 35. He was dismissed effective 31 May 2024 and must return royal decorations including the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand and related honors.
9. Mr. Nattakartorn Meemakbang, Chief First-Class Judge of Ranong Provincial Court under the judiciary, committed serious disciplinary offenses including failure to dedicate time to government duties, neglect of duty, conduct that could damage the dignity of his position, lack of diligence and facilitation in official duties, failure to observe official protocols and judicial ethics, and failure to uphold judicial ethics and traditions or maintain public trust, as prescribed in Sections 58, 60(2), 62, and 64 of the Judicial Officials Act B.E. 2543 (2000) and the Code of Judicial Ethics Article 35. He was dismissed effective 6 February 2025 and must return royal decorations including the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand and others.
All nine individuals have been removed from the list of recipients of royal decorations according to the relevant Prime Minister's Office announcements.
The announcement is dated 14 September 2026.
By Royal Command,
Anutin Charnvirakul
Prime Minister