RUAM Thai Sang Chart Party, largely viewed as de facto led by former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, quickly distanced itself from the arrest of a key member in a sting operation that netted high-profile prolific petitioner Mr. Srisuwan Janya on bribe-taking charges, TV Channel 7 and Naewna newspaper said this evening (Jan. 26).
Police arrested Mr. Yoswarit Chuklom, or Jeng Dokjik, who heads the political movement Ruam Chai Rak Chart (United in Love of the Country), and another party member Ms. Phimnattha Chiraphutthiphak on charges of colluding with Srisuwan after was caught red-handed taking bribes from Rice Department Director-General Mr. Natthakit Khongthip.
However Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, who is also the leader of this party, quickly came out to say that while Yoswarit is a member of his party the police investigation results have to be first studied to determine whether he behaved inappropriately thus damaging the party’s reputation or was it a mistake.
He added that the party had the right to expel him or he could resign but this case is not linked to his camp with the suspect also no longer a member of civil servants working group number 11.
Pirapan underscored that this is Yoswarit’s personal matter and it is still not known what he did and to what extent he was involved.
He also denied he called the police to come and arrest Yoswarit at the Government House today.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew, deputy chief of Crime Suppression Bureau, said at 7.30 p.m. that Srisuwan denied taking bribes from the Rice Department’s chief who had reported that he had demanded 3 million baht in exchange for not complaining about two major government projects with this reduced to 1.5 million baht after negotiation.
So far 640,000 baht had been given to him of which 500,000 baht was handed over today, he said, with the latter sum placed in a bag and hung in front of the Sriswan’s house.
Police waited an hour before going into Srisuwan’s house and as soon as they did so someone in the house ran to the rear. They then met Srisuwan and when asked about the money he himself took them to collect it while the money bag had been thrown in a neighbouring house.
Police said they had strong evidence as Srisuwan’s house has several video cameras.
Srisuwan denied the charges during interrogation claiming that someone had brought the money but he was not the one who asked for it, Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat said, adding that from his experience there is a process in demanding bribes with someone filing a complaint, another one clearing it, shady accounts and the person who receives the cash.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Deputy Premier-cum-Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, left, and Mr. Yoswarit Chuklom, or Jeng Dokjik, right.
Insert: Police raiding Mr. Srisuwan Janya house with his image inset at left and that of Mr. Yoswarit Chuklom, or Jeng Dokjik at right. Both photos: Thai Rath
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