The former mayor of Kathu Subdistrict City has been indicted for corruption. He is accused of paying money to road contractors before the work was completed.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Region 8 dropped a bombshell at a press conference in Krabi yesterday, September 25, revealing widespread corruption in southern Thailand.
Deputy Secretary-General of NACC Suchart Kluaikittanon confirmed the allegations.
“The NACC in Phuket province has indicted the former Kathu mayor and his associates for paying early funds to developers.”
This case is just one of seven uncovered by NACC. The total damages in the southern provinces are reported to be more than 7 million baht. Nakhon Si Thammarat tops the shameful list with the highest number of complaints. The list of corruption cases presented was breathtaking.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, the mayor of Krung Yang sub-district and five others are suspected of embezzling 39 cheques worth a total of more than 3.4 million baht.
In Chumphon city, 10 senior officials from Chumphon Vocational College were indicted on charges of illegal expenditure of funds, resulting in losses of more than 3.3 million baht.
In Krabi, Krabi Hospital employees misappropriated more than 1.2 million baht in overtime pay.
Several other former mayors and officials were involved in shady deals, from awarding contracts to friends to ripping off housing fees.
The NACC is currently handling a staggering 734 cases, including 376 with preliminary investigations. The Phuket News reported that the complaints cover public works, construction, natural resources and procurement issues, with Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Phuket leading the way.
The corruption scandal follows the dismissal of former Kathu mayor Chaianan Sutikul, who was sacked last year following a separate investigation linked to the Tin Mining Museum Lagoon. His successor, Wannayuth Sutikul, took over the embattled position earlier this year.
In related news, Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has seized assets worth more than 5 billion baht this year targeting fraud, online gambling and corruption.
AMLO Secretary-General Thetpas Bavornchidara, along with Deputy Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Phumvisan Kasemsuk, announced the results of this year’s 11th AMLO Transactions Committee meeting.
