Former health minister begins long jail term for corruption

BANGKOK: -- A former public health minister, who was arrested last week, while jogging in a public park after having been at large over the past 13 months, has begun his long jail term for corruption on Monday.

The former Public Health Minister, Mr. Rakkiart Sukthana, has been sentenced for 15 years in jail after judges found him guilty of taking a 5-million-baht-bribe from a pharmaceutical firm in a bid for the ministry's medical equipment and drug procurement.

Mr. Rakkiart, who appeared in a short-sleeved shirt, trousers and a pair of trainers, was reportedly in good spirit even though he has shed some weigh, said a TNA reporter.

Mr. Rakkiart disappeared last year before a criminal court handed him a verdict. However, he was napped last Saturday after police got a tip off that the fugitive minister was seen jogging in a park in Nonthaburi Province on the outskirts of Bangkok.

A team of 10 armed police led by Pol. Col. Natthapong Sukrasorn of Pak Kred Police Station escorted Mr. Rakkiart to report himself at the Criminal Court near Sanam Luang today.

The former health minister was presented in front of three judges to confirm his identity and acknowledge his 15-year-imprisonment.

He was taken to a detention cell in the court's basement afterward to await to be shifted to the Bangkok Remand Prison, where he would serve his term, according to Mr. Suphat Suthimanas, the secretary-general of the court's Political Tribunal.

He said the prosecutors and the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) would proceed with the seizure of the ex-minister's assets, worth 233.8 million baht, within ten years. '

He said the court welcomed an appeal against the freeze by those who claim to own part of the assets.

''But the plaintiff is required to pay a court fee worth 2.5 percent of the value of the assets, but not more than 200,000 baht,'' he said.

-- TNA 2004-11-01

Former health minister begins long jail term for corruption 

BANGKOK: -- A former public health minister, who was arrested last week, while jogging in a public park after having been at large over the past 13 months, has begun his long jail term for corruption on Monday.

The former Public Health Minister, Mr. Rakkiart Sukthana, has been sentenced for 15 years in jail

See? I knew it... jogging is bad for your health.

He's the most be a brave fugitive by running around in public park and stupid minister because of 5m Bt cause all his career.

yeah he would have been more smart is he had taken 50 mil , no lioneric

He's accused of conniving up to 233 million baht. A fair "chunk of change" in any currency. Dumb yes, that's he nabbed in a Pak Kret park. When he jumped bail, I'd thought if he ever did turn up, it'd be on an extradition request to the UK, where he has connections.

As an afterthought:

It IS great that he was caught. Lends a teeny little bit of credibility to the Thai justice system to see him promptly go to the jail yesterday. "Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200". It DOES provide a wee glimmer of hope that others of his same ilk will get their due someday, but I also know as far as really bad politicians are concerned, it's merely one down, 987 to go.

Maybe he was just too greedy and did not want to share with

his ministerial colleagues?

Update:

RAKKIAT MAY TEACH IN PRISON

Published on November 04, 2004

Former public health minister Rakkiat Sukthana, sentenced to 15 years in prison on a graft conviction, will be asked to teach law to prisoners studying for a bachelor’s degree in Bangkok Special Prison.

Bangkok Special Prison commander Prayad Chringchit said that he would ask Rakkiat if he is interested in co-teaching law with lecturers to 90 out of 200 prisoners who are studying towards a degree from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University while in prison.

Rakkiat, who on Monday started serving his sentence, has a law degree from Ramkhamhaeng University.

“The wardens will award convicts who behave and contribute to others by upgrading them to the status of well-behaved prisoners,’’ Prayad said.

Seven prisoners who share a jail cell with Rakkiat are rather excited about having an ex-minister as a cellmate, Prayad said. Most are in jail for assault.

***hahahahaha*** (poster's comment)

When Rakkiat has gone for his morning exercises this week, he has been the centre of attention for the 700 prisoners in zone 6.

“Rakkiat has been calm and shows no stress,” he said. “Doctors gave him a physical check-up for high blood pressure and heart disease but his health is normal.’’

Rakkiat has been given white rice instead of whole-grain rice like foreign prisoners, but he eats the same curries and side dishes as the other inmates in the prison, formerly known as Klong Prem Central Prison.

Prayad has allowed Rakkiat to wear clothes given to him by his family, saying the prison does not have enough uniforms. “We have more than 5,000 prisoners. The government has not supplied enough uniforms for them. Rakkiat will not be allowed to wear trousers and long-sleeve shirts,’’ he said.

Apart from that, Rakkiat will follow the same routines as the other inmates.

Prayad ruled out the possibility that Rakkiat would commit suicide, saying he showed no signs of stress.

Police, acting on a tip-off, arrested Rakkiat on Saturday morning while he was jogging in a Nonthaburi park.

The Muang Thong Thani apartment Rakkiat was staying in while in Nonthaburi was searched yesterday in an effort to locate his assets, said Police Colonel Yuthabul Dissamarn, deputy secretary-general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office.

The Supreme Court in October 2003 convicted Rakkiat in absentia and ordered the seizure of Bt233 million in assets belonging to him and his wife. The court had found him unusually rich after he failed to show how he had amassed the fortune.

Police found receipts of overseas calls and transfers of many land-title deeds before his assets were ordered seized.

Former health minister begins long jail term for corruption 

BANGKOK: -- A former public health minister, who was arrested last week, while jogging in a public park after having been at large over the past 13 months, has begun his long jail term for corruption on Monday.

The former Public Health Minister, Mr. Rakkiart Sukthana, has been sentenced for 15 years in jail after judges found him guilty of taking a 5-million-baht-bribe from a pharmaceutical firm in a bid for the ministry's medical equipment and drug procurement.

...He said the prosecutors and the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) would proceed with the seizure of the ex-minister's assets, worth 233.8 million baht, within ten years. '

He said the court welcomed an appeal against the freeze by those who claim to own part of the assets.

''But the plaintiff is required to pay a court fee worth 2.5 percent of the value of the assets, but not more than 200,000 baht,'' he said.

-- TNA 2004-11-01

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...It IS great that he was caught. Lends a teeny little bit of credibility to the Thai justice system to see him promptly go to the jail yesterday. "Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200". It DOES provide a wee glimmer of hope that others of his same ilk will get their due someday, but I also know as far as really bad politicians are concerned, it's merely one down, 987 to go.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Might be more reason to be optimistic if the drug companies that bribed him had suffered severe sanctions, including some prison time for the bribe givers.