MFA: Help being provided to high ranking official arrested in Japan

BANGKOK, Jan 25 (TNA) -- Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said that the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo and Consulate General in Osaka of Japan have been notified of an arrest on a high ranking Thai official by the Tokyo police. Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA spokesman Sek Wannamethee said both the embassy in Tokyo and consulate general in Osaka have been informed of the incident, in which a high ranking official from the Commerce Ministry has been arrested for allegedly stealing a painting from the hotel where he was staying. Mr Sek said embassy officials are currently coordinating with local Japanese agencies to provide assistance to the arrested official, noting that the official is still in Japanese authorities' custody, where the details on the arrest have not been revealed to protect the rights of the suspect. The spokesman added that the embassy would provide a translator and a lawyer to help oversee the case, while the consulate general is presently contacting concerned Japanese authorities in order to ask for a visit with the arrested Thai official. (TNA)