Nationwide graft probe of destitute fund

By PIYANUCH THAMNUK0ASETCHAI 
THE NATION

 

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Top ministry official linked to wrongdoing as investigation finds systemic corruption

 

ALLEGED CORRUPTION related to government assistance for destitute people plagues at least 14 provinces, an ongoing probe by the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) stated yesterday. 

 

The investigation is set to expand to the implementation of projects across the country. 

 

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Pol General Adul Saengsingkeo, who served as the minister of Social Development and Human Security last year, named the ministry’s permanent secretary, Puttipat Lertchaowasit, as being implicated in the alleged irregularities. 

 

Puttipat and his deputy permanent secretary, Narong Kongkam, were transferred out of the head offices of the Social Development and Human Security Ministry last week, reportedly to ensure a transparent investigation into the disbursement of state funds.

“I ordered a preliminary probe last year and found grounds to suspect the permanent secretary might have engaged in wrongdoing,” said Adul, who is now the Labour Minister. 

 

Social Development and Human Security Minister General Anantaporn Kanjanarat said he would try to get to the bottom of the corruption scandal. 

 

“Those involved in the scandal can be treated as witnesses if they testify about a mastermind, if there is one,” he said. 

 

He added that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha had already made clear that senior officials should set a good example. 

 

“If they are accused of wrongdoing themselves, they will be investigated. If there are grounds of wrongdoing, they definitely will be punished,” he said. 

 

The PACC started investigating the disbursement of state funds via provincial protection centres for the destitute after a university student reported alleged irregularities at the Khon Kaen centre, where she was briefly a trainee. 

 

 

After the investigation found clear signs of graft, it was expanded to cover all centres across the country. 

 

“The nationwide investigation is still ongoing. But at this point, alleged irregularities have already been detected in 14 provinces,” PACC assistant secretary-general Wannop Somjintanakul said. 

 

The provinces are Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai, Saraburi, Udon Thani, Surat Thani, Ayutthaya, Nan, Krabi, Trat, Trang, Sa Kaew and Roi Et. 

 

Local officials’ efforts to pay destitute people retroactively since the investigation started would not help cover up their wrongdoing, Wannop said. 

 

“Our investigation focuses on disbursements in the 2017 fiscal year, which ended on September 30 last year. Payments this month will not help,” Wannop said. 

 

The government allocated Bt493 million to projects to help people in need last year. 

 

The investigation found that many people’s documents had been used without their knowledge to claim funds for destitute people. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30339815

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-28

I am used to corruption in Thailand, but this one stinks to high heaven. Shaving off a few baht from a Transportation bill is a very bad thing, but stealing funds meant for the destitute takes it to another level of criminality and evil.

 

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

He added that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha had already made clear that senior officials should set a good example. 

 

No, he hasn't. As long as 'General WatchMan' is still in Cabinet, the PM is demonstrating the absolute WRONG example. People follow their superiors, and the example set by the current government is that the law doesn't matter.

 

Leadership means actually 'doing', not just 'saying'.

 

Stealing from poor people is bad bad bad!

Interesting to see if the PM will accept responsibility as a leader, or just brush off yet another corruption scandal which has been part of his "administration"?

 

While the rice "scheme" was vexing, at least some of the proceeds trickled down, and not back up. One can only imagine the spillage at the trough over the last four years?

 

Mercedes-Benz reports record sales in Thailand for the fourth year in a row. 

 

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

“If they are accused of wrongdoing themselves, they will be investigated. If there are grounds of wrongdoing, they definitely will be punished,” he said. 

..................as he looked at his Rolex

This scam has all the appearances of being designed and implemented by people at the very top of the Department of Social Development and Human Security. That normally means there will be less chance of nailing them. There will be the usual sacrificial lambs but the big cheese will likely escape the net.

This is where the bad guys end up....An inactive post!

 

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

He added that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha had already made clear that senior officials should set a good example. 

Just shows the childishness of the entire government.  Officials should not even need to be told.    A Thai friend once said that the government was good as it gave stupid, lazy people jobs. 

We can easily solve this, no more trainees.