Constitution of Thailand (2007)/Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13 : ETHICS OF HOLDERS OF POLITICAL POSITIONS AND STATE OFFICIALS
Section 279. Ethical standards of persons holding political positions, Government officials or State officials in each type shall be in accordance with the ethical standards prescribed.

The ethical standards under paragraph one shall feature mechanisms and operability in the interest of efficient execution and prescribe steps for imposing punitive sanctions in accordance with the gravity of the act in question.

Violation or non-observance of the ethical standards under paragraph one shall be deemed a disciplinary breach. In the case of violation or non-observance by a person holding a political position, the Ombudsmen shall report it to the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers or the local assembly concerned, as the case may be, and in the case of a gravely wrongful act, the matter shall be referred to the National Counter Corruption Commission for consideration and further action on the basis that such act shall be deemed a ground for a removal from office under section 270.

The consideration, selection, reconsideration or appointment of any person for taking office which involves the exercise of the State powers, and the transfer, the promotion, the elevation of a salary scale and the imposition of punitive sanction vis-a-vis such person shall be in accordance with the merit system and regard shall also be had to his or her ethical conduct.

Section 280. For the purpose of this Chapter, the Ombudsmen shall have the powers and duties to make recommendations or advice in connection with the preparation or revision of the ethical standards under section 279 paragraph one, promote ethical awareness of persons holding political positions, Government officials and State officials and report acts in violation of ethical standards in order that those in charge of the execution of the ethical standards may pursue the execution thereof under section 279 paragraph three.

In the case were the violation or non-observance of the ethical standard is of particular gravity or there is a reasonable cause to believe that action to be taken by the person in charge will not be in a fair manner, the Ombudsmen may conduct an inquiry and disclose a result of the inquiry to the public.