Former transport permanent secretary Supoj Saplom has been appointed as a member of a sub-committee tasked with studying an industrial estate for rehabilitation and development of inmates just months after completing a jail term for filing false asset declarations, according to a source.
The formation of the sub-committee was announced on Monday by Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin and Mr Supoj is reported to be among those appointed whose job is to draw guidelines for the design and management of the industrial estate.
Mr Somsak said on Monday he had invited individuals from various professions including former senior state officials to give their input on the proposed establishment of the facility. He gave a few names but did not mention anything about Mr Supoj.
However, in the appointment order signed by Mr Somsak and shown to the Bangkok Post, Mr Supoj, who served as permanent secretary for transport from 2009 to 2011, is among the appointees.
Mr Supoj was released from prison in the middle of last year after serving 10 months for filing false asset declarations.
The Supreme Court for politicians and state officials found him guilty of intentionally failing to declare 17.55 million baht in cash and a Volkswagen Caravelle van worth about three million baht in five asset declarations.
The court ruled that as a high-ranking official, Mr Supoj had not set a good example for others when he failed to declare assets worth over 20 million baht. He was sent to jail after a judicial appeal panel of the Supreme Court upheld an earlier court ruling.
Mr Somsak said the Corrections Department believed such a facility would help inmates prepare for life after prison so that they would not become repeat offenders. It was initially envisaged for inmates who have less than two years to serve.
He also noted that it would be able to accommodate 2,000-3,000 inmates to begin with.