TV host arrested for exposing allegations of prison corruption

The police have arrested the host of a TV programme exposing irregularities in food supplies to a prison.

On 9 May 2017, according the Manager Online police officers arrested Yutthiyong Limlertwathee, the 51-year-old host of the TV programme ‘Sapha Kafae, Sapha Prachachon’ on ASTV News 1 Channel, at a coffee shop in Wang Thonglang District of Bangkok.

The Provincial Court of the central province of Ang Thong approved the arrest warrant on 11 January 2017. According to the warrant, the TV host is accused of violating the Computer Crime Act for a TV programme which allegedly contained false information and defamed others. The programme was uploaded to YouTube.

Yutthiyong said he was charged after he invited a group of businessmen supplying food to Ang Thong Central Prison to his TV programme for a discussion. The programme raised allegations of irregularities in the supply of food to the prison.

He said he did not understand why the arrest warrant was issued since he had already acknowledged the accusation and reported to Mueang District Police Station in Ang Thong.  

The TV host added that he will not be disheartened and will continue with his job.

Yutthiyong Limlertwathee (centre), the 51-year-old host of a TV programme called ‘Sapha Kafae, Sapha Prachachon’ on ASTV (Photo from the Manager Online

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