"Godfather of Chonburi Caught!"

[Neal]

30/ Jan/ 2013
Fugitive 'Kamnam Poh' Arrested After Seven Years On The Run
After seven years on the run following convictions for murder and corruption, one of Thailand's most wanted fugitives, Somchai Khunpluem, an influential figure better known as Kamnan Poh or 'Godfather of Chonburi', was arrested early Wednesday while travelling in a luxury vehicle in eastern Bangkok, apparently on his way to a local hospital where he was being treated for chronic high blood pressure and a brain infarction. He was placed in custody, where he was to begin serving his sentences of more than 30 years in prison.
The 75-year-old, an influential figure in Pattaya and Chonburi province, is not only the father of Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome - the leader of the Phalang Chon Party, which is a member of the ruling coalition - but also the father of the mayor of Pattaya.
The arrest was reportedly made possible by "a citizen's tip-off" provided a year ago, which alleged that Somchai Khunpluem had remained in Thailand for most of his seven years on the run, and not been not living in Cambodia as often suspected.
According to police, Somchai used the false name "Kim sae Tang" for his medical registration at Samitivej Hospital's Srinakarin Road branch. They also found found a shotgun and six bullets in the car, as well as packages of medicine, which Somchai admitted to taking.
Somchai will soon be located to Bang Khwang maximum security prison, as his sentences carry combined terms of more than 15 years.

[Neal]

update

Whisked into care after shift to Chon Buri prison

Convicted murdered and former fugitive Somchai Khunploem was taken to a VIP room in Chon Buri Hospital yesterday only minutes after being transferred to Chon Buri prison from Bangkok.

The former тАЬGodfather of Chon BuriтАЭ was moved from the Corrections Department hospital in Bangkok to Chon Buri prison yesterday morning, reports said.

His son, Culture Minister Sonthaya Khunploem, made the transfer request to the director-general of the department, who approved it.

Somchai was taken from the VIP room to the intensive care unit last evening after doctors found he had difficulty breathing.

Somchai, better known as Kamnan Poh, has begun his 30-year jail sentence after being caught last Wednesday, having been on the run since 2006.

Somchai was taken to the hospital 10 minutes after arriving at the prison, Amnart Prachyaphan, director of Chon Buri Central Prison said.


Kamnan Poh: Spends barely 10min at jail

The convict was admitted to a VIP room on the 8th floor of the hospital.

Mr Amnart said Somchai, 75, needed medical care almost as soon as he arrived at the jail.

He was exhausted and suddenly passed out.

The prisonтАЩs doctors found he had difficulty breathing and was suffering from high blood pressure. The prison decided to refer him to the hospital for urgent treatment, as the prison had a duty to save SomchaiтАЩs life.

Mr Amnart said it is up to doctors to decide when Somchai will be transferred from the hospital back to the prison.

He dismissed concerns that Somchai would be treated too leniently at the provincial prison, even though the former mayor of Saen Suk is known to be an influential figure in Chon Buri.

A group of locals and close associates who had heard about his pending transfer gathered in front of the prison yesterday in the hope of catching a glimpse of Somchai, but they left disappointed.

The convict was taken straight inside the prison in a guarded van upon arrival from Bangkok. He was moved to the hospital soon after. At 12.45pm, another two sons of Kamnan Poh _ Witthaya Khunploem, president of the Chon Buri provincial administration organisation (PAO), and Narongchai Khunploem, current mayor of Saen Suk _ arrived at the hospital to visit Somchai. The prisoner also has another son, Ittipol Khunploem, who is the mayor of Pattaya.

Deputy Corrections Department chief Kobkiat Kasiwiwat said Somchai is eligible to apply for a royal pardon. However, he can only apply for a reduction of his jail term in the corruption case he has been convicted in.

Somchai was sentenced to 25 years for masterminding the murder of Prayoon Sitthichoke at a wedding reception in March 2003. He must also serve five years and four months for corruption involving the 1992 sale of a site in a forest reserve for use as a garbage dump.

Criminal Court president Thawee Prachuablarb said yesterday the Corrections Department had the authority to approve the transfer of a prisoner.

He had earlier said prisoners serving more than 20 years would usually not be eligible for a transfer and would be jailed in Bangkwang Central Prison, which has the highest security.

Corrections Department chief Suchart Wong-anantachai said he had approved the transfer of Somchai because the Chon Buri institution is a high security prison which is capable of holding inmates serving sentences as long as 30 years.

Somchai was convicted in March last year in absentia by the Supreme Court for masterminding his rival PrayoonтАЩs murder. He was found guilty of plotting the murder in June 2004 by the Criminal Court. The ruling was upheld by the Appeal Court in October 2006.

Somchai went on the run in early 2006, shortly before he was sentenced in absentia by the Supreme Court for corruption involving the 1992 sale of a site in a forest reserve in tambon Khao Mai Kaew for use as a garbage dump.

The combined jail sentence for his two cases is 30 years and four months.

Pol Maj Gen Supisarn Phakdinaruenart, chief of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), said investigators are looking into people suspected of aiding Somchai in evading arrest. Suspects include SomchaiтАЩs relatives and state officials.

Somchai was spotted living a normal life in a house in Chon Buri and travelled around to other parts of the country.

Pol Maj Gen Supisarn said a team of investigators had made significant progress in gathering evidence that may implicate some police in Chon Buri of being involved in helping Somchai avoid arrest. Some police in the province will be called in for questioning, Pol Maj Gen Supisarn said.

Police are also asking Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital for information about SomchaiтАЩs treatment. Somchai was arrested while returning home from the hospital.

[Neal]

Thai dyed said "how boring" but the reason the article was reprinted here was because the article states that the Godfather is father of Pattaya. Of course the Mayor is well loved and respected and this has no reflection on him. So if you are bored, skip over it. Thanks

[painai2]

I think it's interesting that the first name of Pattaya's mayor, Ittipol Khunploem, translates to mean "having power and influence." Although I think he's doing a fine job as mayor, in spite of his infamous father. I like Pattaya just the way it is. I'd vote for him for mayor if I could, which I can't because I'm not Thai. If someone doesn't like Ittipol and Pattaya, then move.

[Neal]

Oh calm down now Panai. No one said anything bad about Pattaya or the Mayor of Pattaya. I only cut & pasted an article about his father which made reference that the notorious father's son is Mayor of Pattaya. prison.