BANGKOK (Reuters) - A top official in Thailand’s palace has been fired for “extremely evil” misconduct and political interests which threatened national security, the government said on Tuesday.

Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn attends an event commemorating the death of King Chulalongkorn, known as King Rama V, as he joins people during the mourning of his father, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok, Thailand, in this file photo dated October 23, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

Police General Jumpol Manmai, who had served as intelligence chief under ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had until recently been one of the most senior figures in new King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s household.

The government said in a statement Jumpol had “committed misconduct considered extremely evil behavior” which did not befit a civil servant with a position close to the king.

“He has wrongly used his official position for personal gain. He had political interests which were detrimental to national security and not trusted by the king,” said the statement signed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

A police spokesman said he could not comment on whether Jumpol would be prosecuted over the accusations in the statement. Jumpol faces a separate investigation for building private property on protected land.

Neither Jumpol nor his family were immediately available for comment.

With prison sentences of up to 15 years for any offence of insulting the monarchy, Thais are cautious of commenting on anything related to the palace. The law also limits what news organizations can report from Thailand.

The king has asserted his authority on many fronts since taking the throne in December after the death of his widely revered father. As well as changes within the palace, he has requested constitutional changes to which the junta agreed.

Party politics stopped in 2014 when the junta seized power in the name of ending political chaos. But a divide remains between a largely Bangkok-based, conservative elite and followers of Thaksin’s populist movement.

Thaksin, overthrown in 2006, lives in exile to avoid a jail term for corruption that he says was politically motivated.

His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, became prime minister after a landslide election win in 2011, but her government was overthrown in the last coup.

The junta has promised elections, now scheduled for next year, and has set up a military-led panel to try to encourage reconciliation between political rivals.</s>BANGKOK: A top official in Thailand's palace has been fired for "extremely evil" misconduct and political interests which threatened national security, the government said yesterday.

Police General Jumpol Manmai, who had served as intelligence chief under ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had until recently been one of the most senior figures in new King Maha Vajiralongkorn's household.

The government said in a statement that Gen Jumpol had "committed misconduct considered extremely evil behaviour" which did not befit a civil servant with a position close to the king.

"He has wrongly used his official position for personal gain. He had political interests which were detrimental to national security and not trusted by the king," said the statement signed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha.

A police spokesman said he could not comment on whether Gen Jumpol would be prosecuted over the accusations in the statement. The general faces a separate investigation for building private property on protected land.

Neither Gen Jumpol nor his family were immediately available for comment.

With prison sentences of up to 15 years for any offence of insulting the monarchy, Thais are cautious of commenting on anything related to the palace.

The law also limits what news organisations can report from Thailand.

The king has asserted his authority on many fronts since taking the throne in December last year after the death of his revered father.

Besides changes within the palace, he has requested constitutional changes to which the junta agreed.

Party politics stopped in 2014 when the junta seized power in the name of ending political chaos.

But a divide remains between a largely Bangkok-based, conservative elite and followers of Mr Thaksin's populist movement.

Mr Thaksin, overthrown in 2006, lives in exile to avoid a jail term for corruption that he says was politically motivated.</s>Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn attends an event commemorating the death of King Chulalongkorn, known as King Rama V, as he joins people during the mourning of his father, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok, Thailand, in this file... A top official in Thailand's palace has been fired for "extremely evil" misconduct and political interests which threatened national security, the government said on Tuesday. Police General Jumpol Manmai, who had served as intelligence chief under ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had until recently been one of the most senior figures in new King Maha Vajiralongkorn's household.

Start the conversation, or Read more at Reuters.</s>The Thai palace has fired an adviser for being "extremely evil", signalling that more action could take place over the coming days. Police General Jumpol Manmai was the second aide to King Maha Vajiralongkorn to be removed from duty in recent weeks.

Jumpol had served as an intelligence chief under former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and had been one of the top figures frequently seen at the palace.

"He has wrongly used his official position for personal gain. He had political interests which were detrimental to national security and not trusted by the king," said a statement released by the Thai palace and duly signed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta ruler.

"General Jumpol committed inappropriate behaviour as a senior official close to the King. He abused his position to gain personal and political benefits which jeopardises security," read the palace order without revealing the specifics of the matter.

In recent years, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who formally took over after the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, a widely revered figure with a demigod status, has been instrumental in firing several people, including senior members, from the inner circle of the palace.

He has also been successful in making changes to the constitution, thanks to the junta-ruled government, since he ascended the throne in December 2016.

The fate of Jumpol, the palace's Grand Chamberlain, is still not clear whether he would face prosecution. The Thai police have also not commented on the development yet.

Under the law protecting the Thai monarchy, anyone who insults or is being critical of the royals could face up to 15 years of prison. News organisations are also highly cautious so as not to be axed by the monarchy.
The Royal Thai Government has fired Police General Jumpol Manmai for "extremely evil" misconduct and political interests which threatened national security.