Foreign Ministry gives assistance to Thai officials arrested in Japan

BANGKOK, Jan 27 (TNA) – Thai consulate staff met a Thai senior commerce official, accused of stealing paintings at a hotel in Japan and offer official assistance to the suspect, said Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. Deputy Director –General of the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) Suphat Sa-nguanpakdeekul was arrested by Kyoto police on Tuesday for allegedly stealing the paintings worth about ¥15,000 (4,600 baht) from a hotel in Kyoto. The minister said that this morning Thai consulate staff met the deputy director-general for the first time after the arrest. Assistance has been provided to him in accordance with Japanese law. He admitted that the case tarnished the country’s image but it did not have any impact on the relations of the two countries. Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said the court has not accepted the case but ordered 10-day detention as proposed by prosecutors. Today, consulate officials will go to negotiate with the hotel about the damage cost. If both sides can reach an agreement, prosecutors will file a motion to withdraw the case. (TNA)