Anupong said the Khon Kaen governor concluded the investigation into Premsak and recommended his dismissal as Muang Ban Phai major in Khon Kaen province.

The order took effect on May 5.

Premsak was serving as mayor last July when a picture went viral that suggested he might have married or become engaged to a schoolgirl.

Reporters then turned up at his office looking for an interview. But they ended up being detained against their will, with one of them being partially stripped on Premsak’s orders.

Premsak was suspended from duty under the invocation of the all-powerful Article 44 eight months ago.