FORMER culture minister and Pattaya mayor Itthipol Khunpluem was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport upon returning from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, at 10 a.m. this morning (Oct. 9), as he faces malfeasance charges stemming from approval of a condominium project in Pattaya over a decade ago, Naewna newspaper said.
Itthipol, together with Mr.Pichet Uthaiwattananont, Mr. Witthaya Sirinworachai, Mr. Yatipong Intarat and Mr. Ekapong Boonchai have all be charged under Section 157 of the Criminal Code over the issuing of a building permit to Bali Hai Co., Ltd. for the construction of Waterford Suites & Residences condominium at the foot of Pratumnak Hill, Pattaya City, on Sep. 10, 2008.
As Itthipol had fled, the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in Rayong issued a new, open warrant for his arrest on Sept. 7, 2023.
He was brought to Attorney General’s Region 2 office, arriving there at 12.30 p.m., and upon doing so smiled as he greeted reporters and told them he had come to surrender and fight the charges. He was then taken to the criminal court for arraignment and it would be at the discretion of the court whether he is granted bail.
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Top and Front Page: Itthipol Khunpluem outside Attorney General’s Region 2 office. Photos: Naewna
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