Former GLO director arrested

Published: 6/10/2009 at 03:50 PM
Online news: Breakingnews

Pol Maj-Gen Surasit Sangkhapong, a former director of the Government Lottery Office, was arrested on Tuesday by immigration police at Suvarnabhumi airport on his return from an overseas trip.

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Sept 30 issued warrants for the arrest of Pol Maj-Gen Surasit, former commerce minister Adisai Bodharamik, former finance minister Suchart Jaovisit and former permanent secretary for finance Somchainuek Engtrakul after they failed to appear before the court to hear the verdict in the two- and three-digit lottery case.

Pol Maj-Gen Surasit was taken to the Supreme Court, which rescheduled the readng of the verdict for the four absent men to Nov 18.

In this case, the court sentenced former deputy finance minister Varathep Varakorn to two years in jail and a fine of 20,000 baht, Mr Somchainuek, and former GLO director Chaiwat Pasokpakdi (Surasit's predecessor) to two years each in jail and a fine of 10,000 baht each.

The jail sentences were suspended for two years.

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Somboon

Discussion 4 : 07/10/2009 at 01:27 AM4
New Zealand did not suspend the jail sentences!

What is the point when found guilty but then suspend the sentences? How would that deter others from doing the same over and over when justice is not enforced?
F Goldman

Discussion 3 : 06/10/2009 at 11:16 PM3
former deputy finance minister Varathep Varakorn

believe the last name is Ratanakorn.
Levis Oh

Discussion 2 : 06/10/2009 at 05:26 PM2
@ peter Quinian.

Most or all of the generals are retired, but in most reports the writers rarely put 'rtd' to indicate they have left the force.
Peter Quinlan

Discussion 1 : 06/10/2009 at 04:39 PM1
Why is it even possible for a serving Police Officer to concurrently be a Director of the GLO, or any other government position not related to policing? Isn't that a fundamental conflict of interest?

I realise he is only one of thousands, but why is this not only tolerated, but not even thought of as incorrect?

Somboon

Discussion 4 : 07/10/2009 at 01:27 AM4

New Zealand did not suspend the jail sentences!

What is the point when found guilty but then suspend the sentences? How would that deter others from doing the same over and over when justice is not enforced?

F Goldman

Discussion 3 : 06/10/2009 at 11:16 PM3

former deputy finance minister Varathep Varakorn

believe the last name is Ratanakorn.

Levis Oh

Discussion 2 : 06/10/2009 at 05:26 PM2

@ peter Quinian.

Most or all of the generals are retired, but in most reports the writers rarely put 'rtd' to indicate they have left the force.

Peter Quinlan

Discussion 1 : 06/10/2009 at 04:39 PM1

Why is it even possible for a serving Police Officer to concurrently be a Director of the GLO, or any other government position not related to policing? Isn't that a fundamental conflict of interest?

I realise he is only one of thousands, but why is this not only tolerated, but not even thought of as incorrect?

Former GLO director arrested