Bangkok Ice Hockey Association Faces Fraud Allegations

Athletes and the owner of the Thailand International Ice Hockey Arena in Bangkok have raised allegations of budget fraud against the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand (IHAT). The arena's owner, Jumphol Darusakdapong, has filed a complaint with the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), claiming IHAT requested a budget far exceeding the real rental costs to the tune of 700,000 baht for a rent that actually costs between 200,000 and 300,000 baht.

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In response to these accusations, IHAT has denied any wrongdoing, providing a receipt from TIIHA confirming the higher rental amount. IHAT officials pointed out that Jumphol himself issued this receipt, and the sum matched what was shown in the documentation. However, Jumphol contends that the receipt was prepared by an employee without his knowledge or approval of the inflated amount.

Jumphol suspects some officials might have persuaded staff to issue a receipt with an inflated amount, which his employees might have mistakenly thought he endorsed. He insists that his motivations for building the arena were driven by his children's aspirations in ice hockey, distancing himself from any fraudulent activities. Alongside these allegations, some athletes have accused IHAT of allowance fraud, suggesting their names were misused to withdraw funds with forged signatures for allowances they never received.

Additional accusations suggest IHAT requested budgets for a foreign coach, whom they never hired, and related accommodation expenses. The PACC is currently investigating these claims, although the details remain undisclosed. Jumphol and the athletes revisited the PACC yesterday, March 30, to follow up on the case.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 31 Mar 2026