Thailand mayor resigns following arrest over 600,000 baht extortion charges
Weerachart Rasamee, the son-in-law of Thailand’s Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised, stepped down from his role as municipal mayor following an arrest linked to alleged extortion charges. The incident unfolded in Uthai Thani province, with Weerachart being apprehended on Tuesday.
Chada shared yesterday, October 25, that Weerachart offered his apologies for the incident after being granted bail on Tuesday evening. In response, Chada advised his son-in-law to step down from his mayoral role, paving the way for a new mayor to be elected. Consequently, Weerachart tendered his resignation at 11pm on Tuesday.
Prior to the arrest, 45 year old Weerachart was serving as the mayor of Talukdoo municipality in Thap Than district, Uthai Thani. He, along with four others, was taken into custody on Tuesday morning over accusations of extorting 600,000 baht (US$16,521) from a water contractor. All accused have denied the charges.
The case has gained significant media attention as the Interior Ministry has assigned Chada to spearhead the crackdown on influential figures across the nation. Weerachart was detained at his residence, while two of his associates, 47 year old Thanapat Dulyathikan, assistant mayor, and 23 year old Kulathat Samakkhee, assistant civil works chief of the municipal office, were arrested at the municipal office, reported Bangkok Post.
Two other suspects, 51 year old Manop Tittimanop, and 30 year old Yingyong Khachachan were apprehended with 600,000 baht in cash at a branch of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) in Muaeng district. The duo was allegedly present at the location to collect the cash from the contractor.
The Deputy Commander of the Anti-Corruption Division, Prasong Chaloempan, asserted that Weerachart was the mastermind behind the extortion scheme. Thanapat and Kulathat were reportedly responsible for negotiating with the victim, while Manop and Yingyong were tasked with collecting the money.
According to Prasong, the group demanded 1 million baht (US$27,525) from the contractor, who had secured a contract to construct two tap water systems for Talukdoo in Thap Than and Tambon Hat Thanong of Muaeng district. The contractor reportedly bargained the sum down to 600,000 baht and scheduled the payment for Tuesday morning, which led to the sting operation.
Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) commander, Jaroonkiat Pankaew, confirmed that the police have solid evidence in the case, including video clips, audio, and phone records from the victim.
