Pattaya —
Efforts are being made to prevent the statute of limitations from expiring for the wanted former Pattaya mayor, Itthiphol Kunplome, who has fled an arrest warrant, related to his involvement in the Waterfront condominium project, to Cambodia to avoid possible legal consequences.
First our previous story:
Now for our update:
The public prosecutors have urged the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to pursue a new arrest warrant that includes the date of Itthiphol’s escape.
The move came after the former mayor and culture minister, Itthiphol, had left Thailand on a flight to Phnom Penh on August 30th, a few days before the official arrest warrant was issued for him following his failure to report to the prosecutors on September 4th.
However, the initial arrest warrant did not specify the date of Itthiphol’s absence, which is important because it affects the Corruption and Misconduct Procedures Act. The act states that anyone who evades the law is not entitled to benefit from the statute of limitations.
Yesterday, the public prosecutors sent an urgent letter to the NACC, urging them to request a fresh arrest warrant for Itthiphol and two other defendants, with an inclusion of their absence.
Itthiphol’s current whereabouts are unknown at the time of reporting. The 15-year statute of limitations of his alleged malfeasance case will expire this Sunday, September 10th.
