Destitute fund probe reveals ‘solid evidence’ of fraud at five centres

[webfact]

Destitute fund probe reveals ‘solid evidence’ of fraud at five centres

By THE NATION

 

 

EVIDENCE SUGGESTS state officials in at least five provinces have embezzled state funds intended for the destitute.

 

“There is solid evidence of corrupt practices in Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai and Surat Thani,” Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) acting secretary-general Korntip Daroj said yesterday.

 

He was referring to results from an ongoing investigation into protection centres for the destitute across the country. The investigation started after a university student, Panida Yotpanya, blew the whistle on alleged irregularities at the Khon Kaen Protection Centre where she was an intern.

 

“Similar corrupt methods have been used,” Korntip said of the other cases. 

 

 

Last Friday, a PACC team interviewed people in Bueng Kan and found that just four of 36 people in a local village had received money from the Bueng Kan Protection Centre for the Destitute despite the fact that all their names were listed as aid recipients. 

 

PACC assistant secretary-general Pol Lt-Colonel Wannop Somjintanakul said yesterday that in Tambon Chang Sai of Surat Thani’s Kanchanadit district, more than 200 people reported receiving Bt2,000 financial help from the Surat Thani Protection Centre for the Destitute, but the centre’s records claimed they had received Bt3,000 each. 

 

Wijan Nurak, a village head, said his name appeared on the list of people receiving financial help from the government but he had never received any. 

 

“I am not destitute. I don’t need such assistance,” he said. 

 

He suspected that his name had been used after he submitted his signature on documents to attend a training programme in electrical-wire installation. 

 

According to Korntip, there are 70 protection centres for the destitute across the country. The PACC plans to investigate 31 centres before the end of May, as those had received a budget of more than Bt1 million each. It has already set up 15 teams to investigate these centres. 

 

The Chiang Mai Protection Centre for the Destitute has been one of the biggest budget recipients, having received as much as Bt8.58 million. The investigation team found that 20 people whose names appeared as recipients of financial help from the Chiang Mai centre had not received any money, and the signatures on documents used to claim the money were not theirs. 

 

In a related development, Mahasarakham University recently released a statement honouring Panida. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30339252

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-20

[Oziex1]

No news here,  I'm still concerned about the great amount Toon raised,  has it been embezzled yet? 

[Samui Bodoh]

50 minutes ago, webfact said:

“There is solid evidence of corrupt practices in Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai and Surat Thani,” Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) acting secretary-general Korntip Daroj said yesterday.

 

He was referring to results from an ongoing investigation into protection centres for the destitute across the country. The investigation started after a university student, Panida Yotpanya, blew the whistle on alleged irregularities at the Khon Kaen Protection Centre where she was an intern.

 

It takes a truly special kind of scum to embezzle funds meant for destitute people.

 

Kudos to Panida Yotpanya for her integrity and honesty.

 

As for the embezzlers, throw them in Jail AFTER giving the inmates a full briefing of their crimes; it just seems fitting...

 

[james.d]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The investigation started after a university student, Panida Yotpanya, blew the whistle on alleged irregularities at the Khon Kaen Protection Centre where she was an intern.

Well done Panida.

 

This is so despicable and the lowest of the low.

I hope every single culprit is caught, named, shamed and jailed. No transfers and follow up on getting every baht back in the assigned funds.

Actually, make them all do a re-construction of their deeds live on television.

Edited February 19, 2018 by james.d
correction

[Cadbury]

45 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

It takes a truly special kind of scum to embezzle funds meant for destitute people.

 

Kudos to Panida Yotpanya for her integrity and honesty.

 

As for the embezzlers, throw them in Jail AFTER giving the inmates a full briefing of their crimes; it just seems fitting...

 

I doubt anyone will go to jail other than a few scapegoats. Embezzled funds such as this usually finds it's way higher up the food chain where influence counts. Some junior clerk didn't dream this scheme up.

Instead of reducing corruption this government seems to find ways to allow it to flourish. What ever happened to accountability and audit?

[colinneil]

Despicable thats what it is, taking money from poor destitute people.

Sad thing is some people get in these positions of authority and think it is normal, ok to dip into the funds, part of their perks, scum thats what they are.

[mick220675]

The only positive is that a university student sounded the alarm. Maybe Thailand's young will be the generation that brakes the cycle and forces a change.

 

But when those who have power/authority over others feel it is there right to take from the poor it may never change.

[Lungstib]

Its one of the few constants in Thailand. Corruption. From school teachers, just about every govt office with people in uniform, ending at the top with police and army. If there was a proper agency looking at these peoples salary and then discovering the value of their house, land, car and bank balance it couldn't go on. Robbery of the citizens by the officials is historic and endless here.

[worgeordie]

Only  5 Centres,better check the rest,as anywhere that

taxpayers money is involved,and distributed by the

Government,there is bound to be skimming,that's 

pretty much a given,and nothing is sacred .

regards worgeordie

[YetAnother]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

EVIDENCE SUGGESTS state officials in at least five provinces have embezzled state funds intended for the destitute.

highlights a basic tenet in thailand: it's all about the money;

no regard for the intended destination here; basically no morals

[Bob12345]

2 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

It takes a truly special kind of scum to embezzle funds meant for destitute people.

I think you are too harsh.

 

These people just took what belongs to them. They didn't work hard, bribed others, and sunk in this much time to only get their normal salary. 

 

They reached the top and therefore they are entitled to grap as much as they can before selling their position to the next person.

 

What wrong with that? Everybody does it, including the very top if the country.

 

And regarding those poor people: if only they had been better person (now and in previous lives) they wouldnt be poor. 

[trainman34014]

Shameless thieves in every avenue of Thai Society who don't believe they are ever doing anything wrong.   Why?    Because it is what they have grown up watching others above them, around them and even in their own families doing all through their lives.

 

I really hope the younger generations will break this circle of evil as time passes because someone has to stop these disgusting practices.

[Tchooptip]

6 hours ago, james.d said:

Well done Panida.

 

This is so despicable and the lowest of the low.

I hope every single culprit is caught, named, shamed and jailed. No transfers and follow up on getting every baht back in the assigned funds.

Actually, make them all do a re-construction of their deeds live on television.

We have seen this story already a few times a day on some Thai Channels