Itthiphol Kunplome, until recently the Minister for Culture, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday morning for alleged corruption in a controversial condominium project he approved 15 years ago when Pattaya mayor.

Mr Itthiphol denied the charges and told the court he would find a lawyer to defend him. The court released him on bail of 120,000 baht.

The former cabinet minister is accused of illegally approving the construction of the huge Waterfront Suites & Residences condominium building, overlooking Bali Hai marina, on Sept 10, 2008, when he was Pattaya mayor.

Bali Hai Co was the project owner, and the construction remains incomplete. There is an order for its demolition.

The Waterfront project was designed to have 57 floors on two-rai of land at the foot of Khao Phra Tamnak hill, adjacent to Pattaya Bay and Bali Hai Pier.

The project was challenged over its design and the land it was built on.

Mr Itthiphol, 50, was a member of the second cabinet of former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from July 2019. He is a younger brother of former Pattaya mayor Sonthaya Kunplome.