Juthamas, daughter put behind bars
Former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Juthamas Siriwan and her daughter were put behind bars on Wednesday following a delay in the court’s ruling on their bail applications.
The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Wednesday sentenced Juthamas to 50 years in prison for demanding and receiving a bribe of more than US$1.8 million (Bt60 million) to enable an American business couple to get the rights to run the Bangkok International Film Festival.
Her daughter Jittisopha was also sentenced to 44 years in jail on the same charge.
The pair sought release on bail, offering a guarantee of Bt1 million each. The primary court, however, passed on the bail request to the Appeal Court. The lower court said it feared the defendants might flee the country due to the tough penalty.
As of 6pm, the Appeal Court had not ruled on the bail pleas hence the ex-TAT head and her daughter were taken to the Central Women’s Correctional Institution.