Former Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome has been indicted on corruption charges in the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases upon his return from Cambodia. Itthiphol faced allegations of malfeasance in office related to the issuance of a construction permit for the Water Front condominium project in Pattaya during his tenure as the mayor of Pattaya City in 2008.
The court accepted the case and asked Itthiphol whether he would secure legal representation, to which he responded affirmatively. A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for October 31st, and he has been granted bail of 120,000 baht.
Itthiphol had left Thailand for Cambodia on August 30th after facing scrutiny from the National Anti-Corruption Commission regarding the improper issuance of the construction permit. On September 22nd, he reached out to the NACC, expressing his willingness to surrender and stand trial, leading to his subsequent return and indictment.
By FCCT Editorial Team