Bangkok: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has found Chaitip, a former Palang Pracharath Party MP for Ratchaburi, guilty of misconduct.
According to Thai News Agency, the NACC has determined that Chaitip Kamolpantip violated ethical standards by engaging in unauthorized gambling within the parliamentary premises.
Mr. Surapong Intarathaworn, Secretary-General and spokesperson for the NACC, revealed that the investigation into Mr. Chaitip's actions uncovered his involvement in a card game on January 11, 2023. This day coincided with official parliamentary duties, including the 120th meeting of the House of Representatives' Committee on Budget Study, Preparation, and Monitoring, and the 5th Joint Session of Parliament. Despite the ongoing meetings, Chaitip, a representative of Ratchaburi's Constituency 3 and a committee member, was found playing three-card poker in his office at the Parliament Building.
The gambling session, lasting from 1:15 PM to 4:00 PM, was conducted using chips instead of cash, constituting unauthorized gambling. The NACC noted that a table, not belonging to the Secretariat of the House of Representatives, was specifically arranged for this activity, thereby breaching the dignity and reputation of the House of Representatives. Such actions, the NACC stated, undermine the moral framework expected of public officials.
The NACC has concluded that Mr. Chaitip's conduct represents a serious breach of ethical standards, specifically Articles 12 and 17, combined with Article 27, paragraph two, of the 2018 Code of Ethics. As a result, the commission has recommended referring the matter to the Supreme Court for a ruling, as stipulated under Section 87 of the 2018 Act on Prevention and Suppression of Corruption.