Chronology of events in the auditor-general’s deadlock

Published on August 30, 2005 - July 3, 2001: State Audit Commission (SAC) chairman Panya Tantiyavarong submits a list of three candidates for the post of auditor-general to the Senate, which later voted to select Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka.

December 31, 2001: Jaruvan’s appointment receives Royal endorsement.

June 24, 2003: Senator Surapong Painual files a petition with the Constitution Court seeking its ruling on the constitutionality of Jaruvan’s appointment by the Senate.

July 6, 2004: The Constitution Court rules that the process leading to Jaruvan’s appointment was unconstitutional. The court reasons that the Constitution empowers the SAC to nominate only one person with the highest number of votes from a simple majority, not three as had been the case.

July 7, 2004: The SAC suspends payment of Jaruvan’s salary and allowance. She later vows to stay on in her post because she was legitimately appointed by Royal command and says she will only step down on Royal command.

July 8, 2004: The SAC appoints a deputy auditor-general to act as auditor-general.

October 11, 2004: The SAC nominates Visut Montriwat as the new auditor-general.

May 10, 2005: The Senate votes to accept Visut’s nomination, with 107 senators in favour.

June 24, 2005: The SAC announces on its website (www.oag.go.th) that Jaruvan is no loner the auditor-general, citing a Constitution Court ruling that her appointment was unconstitutional.

July 2005: Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua admits that he already submitted Visut’s nomination for Royal endorsement. He does not say when.

August 26, 2005: Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua discloses that he submits Visut’s nomination for Royal endorsement on June 10, 2005.