AMLO helps in Suphoth graft probe

The National Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday launched an investigation to determine whether Suphoth had filed a false assets statement with the NACC, whether he had amassed ill-gotten gains, and whether he was involved in any irregularities. The anti-graft agency also impounded the Bt15 million in cash retrieved from the robbers pending the probe’s outcome.

Seehanart said yesterday that because of the NACC’s lack of expertise and special tools in tracing the source of the money, his agency would help fill the gap. He added that the AMLO would submit its findings to the NACC.

“The AMLO has worked closely with the police investigators and we now have some information on this case. In the next step we will conduct a monetary investigation,” Seehanart said. But he refused to discuss the matter in detail. 

Meanwhile, MP Korkaew Pikulthong of the ruling Pheu Thai Party yesterday tried to link the scandal to the previous transport minister, Sophon Saram, and Sophon’s “boss”. He called on the AMLO and the NACC to investigate Sophon.

“If Suphoth really has Bt100 million in cash at his home, the former transport minister may have Bt1 billion at his home, and the former transport minister’s boss may have Bt10 billion,” Korkaew said, referring to banned politician Newin Chidchob.

Suphoth became the top permanent official at the Transport Ministry in 2009, during the tenure of the previous Democrat-led government.

Opposition Democrat MP Watchara Phetthong yesterday called on the AMLO to confiscate Suphoth’s assets believed to have been obtained dishonestly. He also said the NACC should be tough on politicians suspected of being corrupt.

In a related development, Prime Minister’s Office permanent secretary Tongthong Chandrangsu, who was appointed by the transport minister to head a fact-finding team to investigate the graft allegation against Suphoth, said yesterday that he would try to complete the task as soon as possible.

He said he expected the probe to begin tomorrow. (Nov 25). 

“If the fact-finding team finds some ground to believe there was irregularity, we will suggest establishment of disciplinary investigation,” he said.

“We are not setting a timetable for the task to be completed. It depends on the amount of work. But we will try to complete the task as soon as possible.” 

Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said yesterday about his order transferring Sopoth to the PM's Office last Friday that because he wanted to clear the way for any investigation related to Suphoth case.

“We have to care about people thinking. Most people believe that the issue was unusual so I had to moved him suddenly although the result was not available,” Yongyuth said.

Meanwhile a key suspect in the high-profile burglary which exposed Transport Ministry permanent secreatry Suphoth Sublom's alleged corruption, Praphan Ruengkhrua, yesterday surrendered to police, and denied he had Bt9 million in cash stolen in the heist with him.

He denied all wrongdoing after a two-hour questioning, and said he only knew Bunsueb Jomekan, a suspect in custody, only because he was a colleague at a THAI Airways workplace. Praphan is in custody of Wang Thong Lang police and will likely be put in court custody today.

Citing his alibi, Praphan said he was driving a commuter boat in Pathum Thani, and that he had no idea why Bunsueb told police that he had Bt9 million with him. Reporters present during a police press conference yesterday said Praphan was unusally excited and not speaking naturally, while asking his brother lawyer to answer many questions.