Itthiphol Kunplome, a former Pattaya governor and culture minister, was facing an arrest warrant on Wednesday for failing to appear for arraignment on charges related to an contentious condo development there more than ten years ago. His whereabouts were unknown.
On Wednesday night, Mr. Itthiphol was not seen in either his home or the social faction’s business in the Bang Lamung area of Chon Buri province. The space seemed to be empty.
He did not appear as directed by common lawyers, who intended to bring him before Rayong’s Criminal Court on Monday for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. A court warrant for his arrest was subsequently requested by the National Anti-Corruption Commission( NACC ), and it was granted on Tuesday.
When Mr. Itthiphol was the mayor of Pattaya on September 10, 2008, he allegedly illegally approved the construction of the Waterfront Suites & amp, Residences condominium project, according to Kosolwat Inthuchanyong, deputy spokesman for the Office of Attorney-General( OAG ), who made this claim on Wednesday. The project’s proprietor was Bali Hai Co.
According to Mr. Kosolwat, the OAG received the complaint from the NACC on August 3 and ordered Mr… Ittiphol’s trial on that same day.
The Pattaya Bay is next to the unfinished Waterfront Suites & amp, Residences project. ( Bangkok Post image )
Mr. Itthiphol was charged with wrongdoing by the NACC under Part 157 of the Criminal Code, which carries a one to ten-year prison sentence. The case’s 15-year statute of limitations will disappear on Sunday.
Mr. Itthiphol, 50, & nbsp, served as the minister for culture up until recently. In July 2019, he was appointed to Prayut Chan-o-cha’s second cabinet. He is the younger brother of Sonthaya Kunplome, a former governor of Pattaya.
At the base of Khao Phra Tamnak hill, close to Pattaya Bay and Bali Hai Pier, the Waterfront condominium project was intended to have 57 & nbsp floors on two-rai of land.
The design of the job and the terrain on which it was built were contested. The unfinished structure has already been completely destroyed. & nbsp,
( Photo: Apichart Jinakul ) Itthiphol Kunplome