Government spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday that Prime MinisterPrayut Chan-o-cha intended to override the ThaiHealth “rule” that stopped its committee meeting while board members were absent – by using power under Article 44 of the interim charter to issue an NCPO order on this.

Sansern said the order, to be issued today, will allow the rest of the board to operate legally without a second deputy board chair. The seat was used to belong to Dr Wichai Chokwiwat, but he was removed from the post by an earlier NCPO order in January 5, leaving the seat vacant.

“At first we understood that the removal of seven ThaiHealth board would not affect the operation of the committee. However, the Council of State reminded that even the other 14 members of the committee – out of 21 positions – can legally operate. But ThaiHealth has its own rule forbidding the committee meeting without full executive members.

“Therefore, we may find the problem about legitimacy of the meeting and its result, if we do not unlock this rule,” he said.

Sansern also said there would be no appointment of a second deputy board chairman or the other vacant positions this week, as selection processes had to be done to find appropriate people for these posts.

“The PM made it clear that the new ThaiHealth committee members must come from a formal selection process, so there will be no direct appointment to these positions.”

Seven former ThaiHealth board members could also apply to their original posts, if they can clear themselves of conflicts of interest. The selection of a new manager is now set for a meeting this Friday.