Supoj urged to step down from boards Investigation into his wealth starts tomorrow

Transport Minister ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat yesterday called for transport permanent secretary Supoj Saplom to resign as a director of several state enterprises in the wake of the cash theft scandal.

Mr Supoj has been transferred to an inactive post at the PM's Office pending several probes into his assets. He still serves on the Thai Airways International and Mass Rapid Transit Authority boards.

ACM Sukumpol said he would not make any instructions involving Mr Supoj's board memberships.

"But I believe that he will eventually step down from the board memberships," he said.

The transport minister also said the planned nomination of Mr Supoj as the chair of State Railway of Thailand's board needed to be reviewed.

He admitted the theft cash had badly affected the ministry's image as it sparked suspicions about how Mr Supoj acquired his wealth.

These doubts arose after police reported that robbers had made off with millions of baht in cash from Mr Supoj's house on Lat Phrao 64 Road in Bangkok on the night of Nov 12.

ACM Sukumpol said the Transport Ministry's fact-finding inquiry into Mr Supoj is expected to be completed within 30 days.

He said Mr Supoj will face a disciplinary investigation if the committee, headed by PM's Office permanent secretary Thongthong Chandrangsu, concludes there are grounds to the allegations.

Mr Thongthong said yesterday the investigation is expected to start tomorrow and Mr Supoj will be asked to give a statement.

"The inquiry will decide if he will face a disciplinary probe," Mr Thongthong said. "There is no time frame for the investigation but I will try to speed it up."

Amlo acting chief Sihanart Prayoonrat said the agency's next step is to trace the money trail.

Pol Col Sihanart said this stage will take some time but it is not beyond the Amlo's capacity.

A source in Amlo said the agency has ordered a close investigation into the financial transactions of Mr Supoj, his family and associates and will summon companies bidding for state projects for questioning.

Pol Maj Gen Ittipol Piriyapinyo, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said another suspect, Praphan Ruangkrua, 42, turned himself in to police.

He said the suspect denied any involvement in the theft and insisted that he did not keep any of the 9 million baht as reported.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission is prepared to seize the money after it ordered a freeze on 15 million baht in cash on Tuesday.