Juthamas and daughter detained for second night awaiting bail decision
Former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Juthamas Siriwan and her daughter had to spend another night in detention on Thursday after the court refused their request for temporary release.
They were being detained at the Central Women Correctional Institution for a second day as the court did not reach a decision about their application for bail.
On Wednesday, the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases sentenced Juthamas, 70, to 50 years in jail for accepting US$1.8 million (Bt62 million) in bribes from an American couple seeking the rights to host the Bangkok International Film Festival.
The court also sentenced her 43-year-old daughter Jittisopha to 44 years in jail for helping hide the ill-gotten cash in overseas bank accounts. The court ordered authorities to seize the funds found to have been earned dishonestly from the bribery scandal.
The mother and daughter spent the night in detention on Wednesday after the court declined to grant them bail. The lower court referred their request for bail to the Appeal Court, which did not make an immediate decision.
Their lawyer, Tanakorn Waekwari, sought a temporary release, offering bail of Bt1 million each. The defence is expected to appeal against the court verdict.