The Foreign Affairs Ministry is to investigate allegations that a Thai diplomat in Vientiane sexually harassed Lao staff.

Permanent secretary for foreign affairs Virasak Futrakul said the husband of a Lao woman who worked at the Thai embassy submitted a complaint to the ambassador in Vientiane, Viboon Kusakul, last Thursday.

The man alleged his wife had been sexually harassed by a Thai diplomat.

Mr Virasak said a panel would be set up to look into the complaint.

Meanwhile, the Women Friends Foundation yesterday submitted a letter of complaint to Foreign Affairs Minister Noppadon Pattama about reports that an unspecified number of female Thai diplomats had been harassed. Mr Noppadon said he had no information about the reports, but told the activists they should send the information to him.

The sexual harassment allegations involving diplomats comes less than a week after a top official at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration was accused of graft and having affairs with his sub-ordinates.

However, Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung took the allegations lightly, saying they were only a rumour and there would be no action against the official if there is no solid evidence.

In what was meant to be a joke, Mr Chalerm said it was not unusual for senior officials to have a gig — Thai slang for mistress.

Source: Bangkokpost