Yongyuth faces NACC in Alpine case

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has found Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit guilty of severe malfeasance in the Alpine golf course case. The Ministry of Interior has upheld the NACC’s ruling which will cause Mr Yongyuth to be dismissed retroactively from the post of deputy permanent secretary for Interior which he was holding when the wrongdoing took place. Permanent Secretary for Interior Phranai Suwannarat said the NACC ruled that Mr Yongyuth had breached severe disciplinary offences when he was acting permanent secretary for Interior. The NACC also agreed to revoke the order of the then director-general of the Department of Lands to transfer the ownership of a land plot at the center of the case in 2002. However, Mr Phranai said Mr Yongyuth’s punishment will be erased from his record as a result of the Justifiable Act B.E.2007, clearing government officials from any wrongdoing committed before 2007. The pardon, issued on the occasion of His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday anniversary, leaves Mr Yongyuth’s ministerial post unaffected. From centerweb