Fugitive politician Vatana sentenced to 10 years in jail

He forced them to issue him a land title while he was their minister. This was in spite of the fact that the land overlapped a public canal and dumpsite.

Vatana skipped bail and fled before the verdict was read on July 9. A wanted |man, he is believed to be |hiding in Cambodia, where he owns two casinos and |has good relationships with local politicians and businessmen.

Yesterday, Justice Krairerk Kasemsan read |his panel's verdict in the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

In his absence, they declared Vatana guilty of abusing his power and |forcing Land Department and Local Administration Department officials to secure him a title for 1,900 rai. This encroached upon a public canal and dumping ground.

He then sold the land, located in Tambon Klong Dan, Bang Bo, Samut Prakan, to Beach Palm, a company |in which Vatana is a shareholder.

The company then sought Pollution Control Depart-ment approval to build a waste-treatment plant. This was criminal.

But, by abusing his power to do so, he broke anti-corruption laws, too.

The nine judges voted five to four in favour of confis-|cating a gold-encased amulet, known as Phra Phong Suphan, from a land surveyor to whom Vatana had given it as a reward.

The arrest warrant for Vatana is valid for 15 years from the day he skipped bail.

Deputy police chief Jongrak Juthanont told the court Vatana was believed to still be in Cambodia.

His family was seen in Poi Pet, just across the Thailand-Cambodia border. Nothing can be done because of his political and business contacts in that country.

Vatana forfeits his Bt2.2-million bail guarantee.