Police Hunt For Ex-deputy Interior Minister

[george]

Police hunt for ex-deputy interior minister

BANGKOK: -- Police General Jongrak Juthanont said Monday he would confer with senior Cambodian officials later this week, on finding ways to repatriate former deputy interior minister Vatana Asavahame, wanted in Thailand for jumping bail on his alleged involvement in a corruption case.

Mr. Jongrak confirmed Mr. Vatana was hiding at a casino inside a resort hotel in Poi Pet. Mr. Vatana was reportedly the biggest shareholder in the Grand Diamond City Casino.

Police revealed talks would be held this Wednesday at a hotel in the Thai border district of Aranyaprathet , opposite Poi Pet.

Thailand does not, however have an extradition treaty with Cambodia.

Last Wednesday, a Thai court seized Mr. Vatana’s 2.2 million baht bail guarantee and issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court to hear a verdict in a corruption case.

-- TNA 2008-07-14

[Scott]

Just wait until Cambodia tightens up on visa regulatins and he has to leave after 90 days!!

[dumball]

Just wait until Cambodia tightens up on visa regulatins and he has to leave after 90 days!!

Please do NOT spread that around , Cambodian regulations are perfect just the way they are , thank you very much for your co-operation .

[Khun Jean]

On which countries land is this casino actually?

I remember from a visa run i passed the Thai border arriving in some kind of 'no mans' land before passing the Cambodian border. Or is this one more of the disputed borders between Thailand and Cambodia.

[brahmburgers]

...another example of Thai justice being too lax.

They should have known he was a flight risk. What % of Vatana's wealth is Bt.2.2 million? It might have been a v. small portion, therefore not

sufficient leverage to compel him to do the right thing.

There are too many instances of this sort of thing happening. Thai justice system has to get tougher and more realistic. Enabling greased pigs to get out of the sty - is like a slap in the face to people who've been wronged by the likes of Vatana.

[TBWG]

Hi

Nothing like doing a runner to confirm ones guilt

TBWG

[Old Man River]

Let's see. He has a casino in Cambodia and Thailand does not have an extradition treaty with Cambodia.

It is obvious that the authorities have no inclination in bringing this guy to justice.