Supachai Phosu, former deputy agriculture minister, has been faulted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for gross violations of political ethical conduct due to illegally owning 35.2 hectares of land in Tha Uthen district, located in the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom.

According to NACC Secretary-General Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, Supachai, former deputy house speaker, declared his assets, including 40 land plots covering the 35.2 hectares in Dong Pathai forest, after his election as an MP for Nakhon Phanom in 2007, his appointment as deputy agriculture minister in 2008 and his election as an MP for Nakhon Phanom in 2019.

The investigation by the NACC shows that Supachai was not eligible to own the land in Dong Pathai forest under the land allocation program. Instead, he bought the 40 plots from those who are eligible and who were granted Nor Sor land ownership claim certificates. The land was later developed into rubber plantations by Supachai.

Such plots, said Niwatchai, cannot be transferred or sold but can be transferred by means of inheritance only.

Even though Supachai decided to part with the land in question in July last year, the NACC secretary-general said that such a belated act does not exonerate the former minister from his wrongdoings which, he added, deprived other people, who are landless or who own small plots, from using the land in question.

In another case, the NACC also faulted Nakhon Ratchasima MP Suchart Pinyo for gross violation of political ethical conduct over his ownership and use of about 40 hectares under the land reform program in Wang Nam Khiao forest, in Wang Nam Khiao district.

Both cases will be referred to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions for consideration.