Pattaya-
The Thai Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in Region 2 has declared the acquittal of the former Thai Culture Minister and Pattaya Mayor, Ittipol Khunpluem, along with nine associates, in a case concerning the alleged issuance of an unlawful construction permit.
The permit in question was for the development of the Waterfront Suites & Residences condominium, a project situated at the foot of Phra Tamnak Mountain in the coastal city of Pattaya. The project has been incredibly controversial and stalled for years due to many legal battles as we reported here.
The charges, which date back to 2008 during Ittipol’s mayoral term in Pattaya, were dropped after the court recognized that the 15-year statute of limitations had lapsed as of September 2023.
The case’s conclusion comes after Ittipol’s brief departure to Cambodia on September 5th, 2023, following the Attorney General’s Office’s initiation of legal proceedings. Ittipol’s return to Thailand on October 9, 2023, marked the end of his month-long absence.
He was arrested upon his return as we reported here at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
TPN Media has covered the controversial Waterfront Condo case in detail HERE.
The former mayor being cleared of charges in the case certainly won’t end the ongoing legal battles involving the project itself, however. The mayor had continually declared his innocence.
