BANGKOK (AFP) — A former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand on Thursday withdrew her candidacy in upcoming polls after allegations emerged of bribery during her tenure, a spokesman from her party said.
A Los Angeles-based couple were arrested in the United States this month for allegedly paying 1.7 million dollars in bribes to a Thai government official for the right to manage the Bangkok International Film Festival from 2003.
At the time Juthamas Siriwan was head of the tourism body, which sponsors the festival.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, she will no longer be standing as a candidate for the small party Puea Pandin, which is contesting Sunday's general elections.
"She denies the accusation, and the party sees her as innocent because there is no legal action taken," Puea Pandin spokesman Vachiramond Gunakasemtanavac told AFP.
"The party admires her spirit," Vachiramond said, adding that she was standing down to save the party any association with the scandal.
Gerald Green, 75, and his wife Patricia, 52, were arrested after a criminal complaint was filed in Los Angeles on December 7.
Between 2003 and 2007 the Greens allegedly funnelled cash to a Thai tourism official who used the money to influence the awarding of the contracts for the film festival, which is run by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The recipient of the alleged bribes was not identified by the US Justice Department.
The Bangkok International Film Festival is one of the biggest events of its kind in Asia and has been held annually since 2002.
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