Former Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome has been arrested and released on bail for his alleged involvement in a controversial condominium project. The project, owned by Bali Hai Co., was deemed to have illegal approval for construction. #Pattaya #CondominiumProject #Corruption #ThailandTourism
Itthiphol Kunplome Arrested Upon Return to Thailand
Itthiphol Kunplome, who once served as the Minister for Culture, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on Monday morning after returning from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He was taken into custody due to his alleged involvement in a contentious condominium project dating back 15 years when he was the mayor of Pattaya. However, he was later released on court bail.
Immigration Police Apprehend Kunplome
Immigration police arrested Kunplome at Bangkok’s main airport at 10 am. He was wanted under a court arrest warrant issued in early September. Following his arrest, he was taken to the public prosecutors’ Region 2 office for corruption cases in Rayong, eastern province.
Court Proceedings and Bail
The Criminal Court for Misconduct and Corruption Cases in Rayong had approved the arrest warrant on September 5 since Mr. Itthiphol failed to report to the public prosecutors as ordered, and instead went to Cambodia.
On Monday afternoon, Prayut Pecharakhun, a spokesman for the Office of the Attorney-General, said prosecutors brought Itthiphol to the court in Rayong. He denied the charges and informed the court of his intention to hire a lawyer for his defense. The court adjourned the hearing until October 31, granting him time to engage a lawyer, and released him on bail of 120,000 baht.
Controversial Condominium Project
The allegations against the former Pattaya mayor revolve around the illegal approval of the Waterfront Suites & Residences condominium building’s construction. The project, owned by Bali Hai Co., is located near the Bali Hai marina and remains incomplete, with a pending demolition order.
The Waterfront project was conceived to have 57 floors on a two-rai plot of land at the foot of Khao Phra Tamnak hill, adjacent to Pattaya Bay and Bali Hai Pier. The project faced challenges concerning its design and the land on which it was built.
Itthiphol Kunplome, aged 50, served as the Minister for Culture until recently, having been appointed as a member of former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s second cabinet in July 2019. He is also the younger brother of ex-Pattaya mayor Sonthaya Kunplome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Itthiphol Kunplome and why was he arrested?
Itthiphol Kunplome, former Pattaya Mayor and once the Minister for Culture, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok due to his alleged involvement in a controversial condominium project owned by Bali Hai Co. The project was deemed to have illegal approval for construction.
Q2: What happened after Itthiphol Kunplome’s arrest?
Following his arrest, Itthiphol was taken to the public prosecutors’ Region 2 office for corruption cases in Rayong, eastern province. He was later released on court bail of 120,000 baht, with the court adjourning the hearing until October 31, granting him time to engage a lawyer.
Q3: What is the controversial condominium project at the center of the allegations against Itthiphol Kunplome?
The allegations revolve around the illegal approval of the Waterfront Suites & Residences condominium building’s construction. The project, owned by Bali Hai Co., is located near the Bali Hai marina and remains incomplete, with a pending demolition order. The project faced challenges concerning its design and the land on which it was built.
