Suphoth to be grilled over difference in testimony, evidence
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Suphoth Sublom, permanent secretary for the Transport Ministry, will be summoned for further questioning because his testimony is different from the evidence uncovered by police in relation to the burglary at his home.
Suphoth had initially told police that Bt5 million in cash had been stolen from his Bangkok home on November 12. After he lodged a complaint with police, word spread that the cash stolen from his home was in fact much higher than he claimed and that all of it was bribe money. Suphoth was suspended from his post in the wake of the scandal.
So far, police have retrieved about Bt18 million from suspects in the burglary case.
“The figures are different, so we have to question him. We will also see if he has deliberately committed perjury,” Metropolitan Police Commissioner LtGeneral Winai Thongsong said yesterday.
He added that police would also ask Laotian authorities about reports that Weerasak Chualee – alleged to be a key accomplice in the burglary – was hiding in the neighbouring country. Weerasak is said to have some confidential information about the burglary.
Allegations about corruption gained momentum after Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said earlier this week that the stolen money was part of kickbacks handed in relation to bids on the construction of the subway extension.
“Our investigation has not ruled out corruption, but to date evidence has not implicated anybody else,” Winai said.
Police have already detained nine people in this case, while three others, including Weerasak, are believed to be on the run. None of the suspects is a politician.
Metropolitan Police Division 4 deputy commander Colonel Saroj Sumsap said an investigation was underway.
