Bangkok Thailand News

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Monday upheld the National Anti-Corruption Commission's (NACC) finding that former House speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat had intentionally submitting a false assets declaration to the anti-graft agency.

Mr Yongyuth has been banned from politics for another five years and sentenced to two months in jail and a fine of 4,000 baht. His jail sentence was suspended for one year.

The Supreme Court said Mr Yongyuth violated Article 263 of the constitution by claiming that he had sold 24,500 shares in Miti Food Products Co to his brother-in-law, Pol Lt-Col Natthawut Yuwawan, for 2.45 million baht. 

However, the NACC discovered that there was no actual sale since the company had ceased operations 18 years ago, and Pol Lt-Col Natthawut could not afford to buy the shares at that time.

The court said there was no motive for Mr Yongyuth's brother-in-law to buy the shares. It also rejected Mr Yongyuth's claim that the registrar was not checking his assets declaration properly, and that the registrar may want to help him out. 

The former House speaker was previously  barred from politics by the Supreme Court last year after he was found guilty of poll offences during the general election campaign in December 2007.

Thailand will host the 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference on Nov 10-13 at the Queen Sirikit National Covention Centre. It is expected to be attended by more than 1,500 delegates from 140 countries, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday.

Mr Abhisit said the IACC will be a forum for peoples from all over the world to exchange experiences in combating corruption which is a threat to political, social, economic and judicial stability and detrimental to sustainable development.

The conference will discuss ways of restoring confidence after the global financial crisis and introducing good governance in the changing social, economic and political situations, he said.

The prime minister hoped the conference will create awareness against corruption among the Thai people and show the world community Thailand's intention to combat graft.