The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Posts on Friday accepted for further hearings a corruption case related to the Uah Arthorn housing project of the National Housing Authority against former social development and human security minister Wattana Muangsuk and eight other individuals.

The Office of the Attorney-General accused Mr Wattana, a core member of Pheu Thai Party, and eight other associates of malfeasance in office for accepting or demanding bribes and misusing authority to intimidate or convince others to hand over their valuables or benefits in violation of the Criminal Code.

Besides Wattana, an outspoken critic of the military junta, the other individuals indicted by the OAG are former NHA executive committee Mana Wongpiwat, Mr Pornprom Wongpiwat, former financial director of Prinsiri public company; Mr Apichart Chansakulporn, alias Sia Piang, a well-known rice trader; Ms Rattana sae Tang, Sia Piang’s close aide; Ms Krongthong Wongkaew and Ms Roongruang Khunpayna, employees of President Agri Trading Company; Mr Pakorn Asaveenarak representing President Agri Trading Company and Mrs Pimwara Ratthanarote representing Silver Inter Group or Chenyou International Construction and Development Company.

The court also accepted for consideration another corruption case concerning the Uah Arthorn housing project against former Thai Rak Thai list MP Arisman Pongruangrong and four others allegedly for supporting Mr Wattana in his alleged corruption in the housing project.

The four others indicted by the OAG are Pastiya Thai Company, Namfatt Construction Company, Principtec Thai Company and Ms Supavida Kongsuk of Thai Chenyou International Construction and Development Company.