BOTH prolific petitioner and two members of Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, largely viewed as de facto led by former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, were bailed out after being arrested in a bribe-taking sting operation, Matichon newspaper said this morning (Jan. 27).
Having consistently denied bribery charges during nine hours of interrogation by Anti-Corruption Division police, the well-known petitioner Mr. Srisuwan Janya was bailed out at 2 a.m. upon placing 400,000 baht surety.
Later at 6 a.m. this morning both Mr. Yoswarit Chuklom, or Jeng Dokjik, who heads the political movement Ruam Chai Rak Chart (United in Love of the Country), and Ms. Phimnattha Chiraphutthiphak, a former MP candidate for Ruam Thai Sang Chart, were bailed out with 400,000 baht surety.
Police took action after being informed by Rice Department Director-General Mr. Natthakit Khongthip that Srisuwan and his accomplices had demanded 3 million baht to drop a complaint about two major government projects with this reduced to 1.5 million baht after negotiation.
After earlier having paid 140,000 baht, yesterday 500,000 baht was place in a bag and hung in front of Sriswan’s house.
Police waited for an hour then went in, but someone in the house dashed to the rear and flung the bag with the money across to the neighbouring house. This was then retrieved from there.
However Srisuwan denied demanding a payoff from the Rice Department’s chief insisting someone he was unacquainted with had hung the bag containing the 500,0000 baht at his house.
He added that his wife showed it to him and as it looked suspicious they threw into their neighbour’s compound.
“I admit this is a shocking incident but it has not demoralised me, my morale is still good. Being prosecuted this time is normal when doing the job of investigating corruption, this it is like walking in the rain, you will naturally get wet,” he said.
Jeng Dokjik, on the other hand, just shook his head in denial when asked by reporters whether he took a bribe,
CAPTIONS:
Top: Mr. Srisuwan Janya, left, and Mr. Yoswarit Chuklom, or Jeng Dokjik, right.
Insert: Mr. Yoswarit Chuklom, or Jeng Dokjik, and Ms. Phimnattha Chiraphutthiphak.
Front Page: High-profile petitioner Srisuwan Janya. All photo: Matichon
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