The accused harasser, Assadej Rattanaworaprasert, is accused of a serious disciplinary offence while his supervisor will be investigated for a lesser offence.

“The probe will be concluded within 120 days,” Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Sopon Mekthon said yesterday.

He added that a fact-finding committee that had investigated the allegations against Assadej and his supervisor had recommended the disciplinary probe. The committee reported that Assadej had confessed to having touched his subordinates but claimed he has done so just to tease them, not for sexual reasons.

Earlier this month, one of his victims lodged a complaint with police saying that she could not tolerate his behaviour any longer. She substantiated the allegation with a video clip that purportedly showed an instance of sexual harassment inside her office, which is a unit under the ministry’s Office of the Permanent Secretary. Her colleague helped to record the incident.

“His actions constituted sexual harassment,” the fact-finding committee concluded.

His immediate supervisor should also be investigated for a lesser disciplinary offence because he had been aware of Assadej’s misbehaviour but failed to take concrete action, according to the committee’s findings.

Sopon said if Assadej were found guilty of a grave disciplinary offence, he would be dismissed from the ministry with or without pension, or he could be allowed to re-enter the civil service.

The penalty will be determined based on the recommendation of the disciplinary committee, which will be established in the near future.

If found guilty of the lesser disciplinary offence, Assadej’s supervisor could be punished with probation, a one-time salary reduction or demotion on the salary scale.

The ministry’s deputy permanent secretary Kiattibhoom Vongrachit said he had prohibited Assadej, who had been transferred after the complaint was filed, from entering the Office of the Permanent Secretary.

“His victim, who came forward with a case of sexual harassment that happened at the workplace, is now feeling stressed,” he said. Women and Men Progressive Foundation director Jaded Chouwilai applauded the ministry for taking action against not just the harasser but also the supervisor who failed to take action to stop the inappropriate behaviour.

Jaded urged the ministry to develop clear procedures for officials to seek help in cases of sexual harassment at the workplace.

Assadej’s victims have reportedly stayed silent for years because they were afraid he would be able to terminate their employment. The victim who came forward is an employee on a temporary contract.