Case of Japan painting theft to be concluded by early March
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The case of a senior Commerce Ministry official who allegedly stole three paintings from a hotel in Japan could be finalised by early next month, as the investigation committee is set to wrap up the probe in the next two weeks.
Committee chairperson Pol Colonel Dussadee Arayawuth, who is also deputy permanent-secretary to the Justice Department, said suspect Suphat Saquandeekul, deputy director-general of the Department of Intellectual Property, wants five days to submit evidence and clarify himself to the committee.
After that, the panel will take no more than 10 days to consider whether to dismiss or sack this official.
“Primarily, his action has given Thai officials a bad reputation and the panel sees this as a severe disciplinary violation. Yet, the panel needs to consider his reason and explanation carefully as it will affect the pension this official will get,” he said.
