Kamphaeng phet: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has indicted former Kamphaeng Phet Member of Parliament, Police Lieutenant Colonel Waiphot Aphonrat, for ethics violations related to the illegal occupation of land in the Sor Por Bor Thor 5 area.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sarot Phuengramphan, Secretary-General of the NACC, disclosed that Waiphot Aphonrat was found guilty of improperly seizing and possessing land in the Agricultural Land Reform Area (ALRO) located in Village No. 5, Pho Thong Subdistrict, Pang Sila Thong District, Kamphaeng Phet Province. The area in question spans 2 ngan and 88 square wah and has been designated for farmers' use since 1996 under the Agricultural Land Reform Act.
The investigation indicated that after becoming an MP on May 25, 2019, Waiphot Aphonrat continued to occupy this government land, despite being ineligible due to his non-farming status and existing income from his position. This was a breach of the 2018 Code of Ethics applicable to Constitutional Court Judges and other independent positions.
Moreover, Waiphot neglected to comply with the Kamphaeng Phet Provincial Land Reform Office's call for individuals to apply for land use within the reform zone or return the land for proper allocation. His actions were deemed unlawful under the land reform laws, as the land was meant for allocation to farmers. The NACC concluded that Waiphot's actions violated ethical standards and damaged the dignity of his position. The matter will be forwarded to the Supreme Court for a ruling in line with the Organic Act on Prevention and Suppression of Corruption, 2018.