His Majesty the King has signed a royal command endorsing the dismissal of three Appeals Court judges found guilty of granting bail to a drug suspect who later fled.
The Royal Gazette published on Dec 2 a PM's Office order to remove Akewirote Maneethanawan, a judge at the Appeals Court, Pralom Khachen, a judge at the Appeals Court, and Chuwong La-ongsiriwong, a senior judge at Min Buri Court from their positions and recall royal decorations previously granted to them, Isra News Agency reported.
The royal command took retroactively on March 5 this year.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced the dismissal of the three judges on Nov 13 based on a ruling by the Judicial Commission.
The commission earlier resolved to dismiss the three judges from the service after finding them guilty of granting bail to a drug suspect accused of possessing about 2,000 methamphetamine pills. The quantity exceeded the limit allowed by court regulations when considering bail requests for drug suspects.
The accused later jumped bail and escaped.