Thailand’s Supreme Court has sentenced former cabinet minister Witoon Nambutr to three years in prison for demanding a 30-million-baht bribe in exchange for helping secure funding for state construction projects more than a decade ago. The ruling, issued on July 23 by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, only became public this week.
According to details reported by the Isranews Agency, the court found that Witoon, a former MP for Ubon Ratchathani and one-time deputy leader of the Democrat Party, abused his authority while serving on a House committee reviewing the 2013–14 national budget. Prosecutors said he demanded 30 million baht from a business operator, claiming he could facilitate the allocation of state funds for infrastructure works in Thailand’s Northeast and South.
Between June 2013 and May 2014, the business operator made multiple payments totalling 29.6 million baht. The court concluded this constituted an unlawful use of political power for personal gain, violating Section 123/1 of the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption. Four relatives of Witoon, charged as co-defendants, were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
Witoon, now 66, has long been a prominent political figure. He briefly served as social development and human security minister in the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration from December 2008 to February 2009, stepping down after being linked to the distribution of spoiled canned fish to flood victims in Phatthalung province.
Separately, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) ruled on June 17 that Witoon had displayed signs of “unusual wealth” amounting to 58.9 million baht during his term as an MP in 2011. The assets under scrutiny include 15 million baht spent on constructing a building, 14.3 million baht transferred to his former common-law spouse to buy a house, and 29.6 million baht received without legitimate explanation — an amount the NACC believes may be tied to his official duties.
The anti-graft body has recommended sending the case file to the Office of the Attorney-General, which will determine whether to seek a Supreme Court order to confiscate the assets. A ruling on the asset seizure has not yet been issued.
The conviction adds another chapter to Witoon’s chequered political career and underscores ongoing efforts by Thailand’s anti-corruption institutions to hold senior office-holders accountable for past misconduct.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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