A senior Thai official arrested in Japan last week for stealing paintings from his hotel issued a public statement on Tuesday, apologising to the Thai people and his colleagues, while announcing his resignation from office.
Suphat Sa-nguandeekul, deputy director-general of Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property, was caught stealing three paintings valued at a total of 15,000 yen (132 dollars) from a hotel in Kyoto recently. Wiboonlak Ruamrak, permanent secretary at the Thai Commerce Ministry said that he was on an official trip to Japan to discuss intellectual property rights. According to Japanese newspaper Sankei, the arrest came after hotel staff noticed that paintings hanging on the wall were missing and alerted the police. Suphat was about to check out of the hotel when he was detained.
In the statement, Suphat said he was under the influence of alcohol while committing the crime, adding that he had no record of misconduct throughout his 33 years in government service. “I am deeply sorry for this incident, and for damaging the reputation of the Department of Intellectual Property, the Commerce Ministry and Thailand,’’ Suphat said.
The incident caused public outrage in Thailand, with some fearing a setback in Thailand-Japanese diplomatic relations. Suphat was released by Japanese prosecutors and sent back to Thailand on Friday, after having apologised and compensated the hotel, with the assistance of the Thai consulate in Japan. “In spite of his resignation, Suphat will be subject to a disciplinary action by the commerce ministry, pending an ongoing investigation in Thailand,’’ Thai authorities said.
NAN