‘Overwhelmed’ PACC detects graft at 5 more welfare centres

By THE NATION

 

File photo

 

ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES have been found at five more provincial protection centres for the destitute, bringing the total number of scandal-tainted centres to 49, with estimated total damages of Bt104 million, Public Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) secretary-general Korntip Daroj said yesterday.

 

Amid the spiralling graft scandal involving welfare centres across the country, Korntip also said that his commission was “overwhelmed” by the work load.

 

The five provincial centres recently identified are in Si Sa Ket, Khamphaeng Phet, Phang Nga, Sakon Nakhon and Chanthaburi.

 

The PACC board has also set up sub-panels to investigate seven centres for possible criminal prosecution of officials, with more centres to come under scrutiny this week, he said. 

 

Alleged wrongdoing at the five centres were similar to other cases discovered, with low-income earners and destitute people not receiving their entitled allowances in the full amount, while the names of people who were not qualified for allowances had been used in forged documents, Korntip said.

 

Regarding similar alleged graft at 32 self-help settlement centres nationwide, the PACC has found evidence at four centres indicating wrongdoing allegedly committed by high-ranking officials, Korntip said. 

 

Udon Thani’s Chiang Pin (with Bt7 million), Udon Thani’s Huai Sang (Bt5 million), Khon Kaen’s Ubolrat Dam (Bt11.7 million) and Satun’s Southern Development (Bt10.9 million) centres were found to be involved with “rather frequent” fund disbursement to vocational groups, he said.

 

The PACC would forward the cases to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which is authorised to investigate graft involving senior officials. The PACC would also ask the NACC to investigate other self-help settlement centres, as the PACC was overwhelmed, he said.

 

A trace of money transactions should be able to identify people who benefited from irregularities and embezzlement by the end of March, he said.

 

As for a separate inquiry into the Education Ministry’s “Sema Pattana Chevit Fund” for underprivileged children, Korntip said a report had been submitted and the PACC board would meet today to consider setting up a sub-panel to consider prosecutions.

 

In parallel to the PACC inquiry, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security – which is in charge of 43 self-help settlements and 16 highland people’s development centres as well as 76 provincial protection centres for the destitute – has conducted its own fact-finding investigations for disciplinary action.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday said the ministry’s investigation, which had led to the transfers of at least 22 officials, had found alleged graft at nearly 50 provincial protection centres for the destitute, in line with the PACC’s findings.

 

He said despite the corruption, projects to help underprivileged people should not be cancelled. Instead, allowances and fund disbursements should be shifted from cash payments to recipients to other channels such as PromptPay, he said.

 

PromptPay enables fund transfers using mobile phone numbers or citizen ID numbers. It can be used to receive payments from government agencies. 

 

Meanwhile, Social Development and Human Security Minister General Anantaporn yesterday led officials in taking an oath to be honest civil servants to advance the ministry’s strategies. The ritual was held at the ministry’s office at Phra Prachabodi Plaza in Bangkok.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30341279

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-20

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

Overwhelmed’ PACC detects graft at 5 more welfare centres

Really? They should just be ashamed. Overwhelmed? Nah, I think they know exactly what was happening all the time. Just that nobody said anything until now, so that the dirty laundry was brought into the light of peoples eyes. Stealing from people in powerty. If it would be suitable anytime, I would like to see the death penalty for the lowlife perps.

This has become one of the most vile and disgusting scandals I have ever seen; any theft by government officials is loathsome, but when you are stealing from the destitute and neediest it sinks to a new level of low.

 

"ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES have been found at five more provincial protection centres for the destitute, bringing the total number of scandal-tainted centres to 49, with estimated total damages of Bt104 million, Public Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) secretary-general Korntip Daroj said yesterday."

 

When the number of locations has reached 49, then it is pretty clear that the scandal reaches into every center and every corner that the ministry has. More importantly, when the scandal has reached 49 different centers, there must be some central coordination mechanism at the ministry office led by senior bureaucrats; it would be impossible for such a wide-ranging theft to occur without one. I would very much like to see this scandal and investigation(s) reach those high-level bureaucrats, but to date there has been only deafening silence.

 

Further to the above, there is a DEAFENING silence from the political leadership regarding this issue.

 

Why has there not been outrage by the Junta? They claimed that one of the reasons for their coup was corruption, but when faced with massive corruption, there is only silence.

 

Why has there not been a resignation? Already the corruption is of such a magnitude (49 centers within the ministry) that a resignation is both warranted and deeply needed.

 

Where is the action? Hey Junta, DO SOMETHING!!!

 

Edited March 19, 20188 yr by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

My only surprise in this disgusting theft from those in poverty will be if a centre is found that has NOT been involved in it.

Given the numbers already confirmed to have been thieving, that looks unlikely.

A morally bankrupt country!

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Bringing the scandal-tainted centres to 49

Only 49! Just the tip of Thailand's corruption iceberg. Many more out there.

The junta are helpless to do anything. After all they are at the top of the food chain and they would be cutting off the hand/s that feed them.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

"Social Development and Human Security Minister General Anantaporn yesterday led officials in taking an oath to be honest civil servants"

Pointless attempt at PR. What drivel.

 

Much better to make civil servants subject to the death penalty for corruption. That is the only way it would dramatically reduction the level.

 

It seems to work in China - that's why I said 'dramatically reduce' rather than 'stop' corruption, as we do occasionally hear of a Chinese civil servant being found guilty and executed. That's assuming it isn't just politically motivated.

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

and fund disbursements should be shifted from cash payments to recipients to other channels

thais and corruption go hand-in-hand; whenever there are thai intermediaries in a money flow, there will be 'irregularities'

If this doesn't tarnish the national reputation, nothing ever will!

1 hour ago, darksidedog said:

My only surprise in this disgusting theft from those in poverty will be if a centre is found that has NOT been involved in it.

Given the numbers already confirmed to have been thieving, that looks unlikely.

 

Shouldn't be surprised. Thailand is built on a social hierarchy - Those doing the thieving are the betters of those they are stealing from. And those being stolen from should be grateful for any crumbs which drop from the table. Even if the pie was meant for them! 

 

How often have do we see the phrases  "gift to the people", "return happiness to the people" used in political circles, to reinforce the view that the masses should be in admiration for the mercies and help bestowed by those from higher up the social ladder. 

These figures are only the ones being admitted to.  The problem will be much deeper and more wide-ranging.  It can only have grown so big with the help of highly placed officials who will escape with their pile whilst lower ranks will be thrown to the dogs.

59 minutes ago, jonclark said:

 

Shouldn't be surprised. Thailand is built on a social hierarchy - Those doing the thieving are the betters of those they are stealing from. And those being stolen from should be grateful for any crumbs which drop from the table. Even if the pie was meant for them! 

 

How often have do we see the phrases  "gift to the people", "return happiness to the people" used in political circles, to reinforce the view that the masses should be in admiration for the mercies and help bestowed by those from higher up the social ladder. 

Instead of worrying about returning happiness to the people, perhaps they should ask the Supreme Saviour to return their stolen money.

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Korntip also said that his commission was “overwhelmed” by the work load.

I have a cunning plan. First, a quick trial for those already caught, followed by an instant public execution (the bailiff may fire when ready! ), no appeal, no bail, bang.

Next day send a BCC message to all welfare offices that investigators will be arriving at their office tomorrow. Send police to arrest anyone who doesn't show up for work.

Some estimate that the embezzlement of these social funds has reached 85%!

 

At people complained about elected governments skimming a paltry 15%.

 

Really challenging to figure out why Yingluck was charged with Negligence and Malfeasance but the Junta hums along without being held responsible for massive corruption and graft on their watch?

 

Seems like there are two sets of "laws"?

 

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

Some estimate that the embezzlement of these social funds has reached 85%!

 

At people complained about elected governments skimming a paltry 15%.

 

Really challenging to figure out why Yingluck was charged with Negligence and Malfeasance but the Junta hums along without being held responsible for massive corruption and graft on their watch?

 

Seems like there are two sets of "laws"?

 

 

 

 

Here is the difference - the junta is doing something about stopping it.

Just now, halloween said:

Here is the difference - the junta is doing something about stopping it.

Against stupidity the Gods themselves struggle in vain.

2 minutes ago, halloween said:

Here is the difference - the junta is doing something about stopping it.

 

Really? What are they doing? Why has it taken so long?

3 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Really? What are they doing? Why has it taken so long?

You really can't see the difference between one government investigating and prosecuting the corrupt public servants, and another where the government ministers are instigating the corruption?

Edited March 20, 20188 yr by halloween

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Amid the spiralling graft scandal involving welfare centres across the country, Korntip also said that his commission was “overwhelmed” by the work load.

I'm not surprised in a country where most officials were annually "overwhelmed" by the fact that it rains during monsoon season.

1 minute ago, halloween said:

You really can't see the difference between one government investigating and prosecuting the corrupt public servants, and another where the government ministers are instigating the corruption?

 

Yes, I can see the "difference", that's sort of the issue I'm highlighting.

 

Corruption and neoptism and graft have been rife in the Junta from nearly day 1, and after four years their greed seems unrivaled by just about any past "administrations".

 

It took a whistle-blower (or two) to bring this latest massive corruption scandal to light. Of course, the first inclination was to blame the whistle-blower.

 

Why aren't the responsible Ministers monitoring what's going on? One could assume the worst, or that they are just negligent.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Korntip also said that his commission was “overwhelmed” by the work load.

There's just so much corruption in this shit-hole of a country that even the commission, set-up to monitor corruption, is OVERWHELMED. Come on, Thailand . . . with a bit more effort you'll top the Corruption Perceptions Index, next year.

 

One thing that I find hard to understand, though, is how so much money - 104M baht - can go 'walkabouts', whilst the ministry is still pumping more funds into the system. With only 15% of issued funds finding their way to the destitute, with 85% being grafted, surely there should be some control mechanism to ring a warning bell, before the disease reached the out-of-control state that it's clearly now in. Thailand is going to have some task on its hands to clear up this shameful image.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The PACC would also ask the NACC to investigate other self-help settlement centres, as the PACC was overwhelmed, he said.

The worst thing to do. NACC is just a political machinery that will sit on their hinds when comes to investigating senior officials. They have procrastinated on watch-gate, Rolls Royce scandals, police stations alleged corruption and cases dating back more than decades but will rush through cases of political enemies. The current office holders are not qualified according to the charter and yet allowed to continue. They are a lame agency and a total revamp of the officers and the appointment procedures are long overdue. 

20 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

Some estimate that the embezzlement of these social funds has reached 85%!

 

At people complained about elected governments skimming a paltry 15%.

 

Really challenging to figure out why Yingluck was charged with Negligence and Malfeasance but the Junta hums along without being held responsible for massive corruption and graft on their watch?

 

Seems like there are two sets of "laws"?

 

 

Big difference, YL has been told about corruption and did nothing but claiming it was taken care of. The junta confronted with this corruption is doing something. Also YL was personally the head chairwoman of the rice program. The only junta minister that you could hold responsible is the one that chairs the anti corruption agencies. Even then you can't compare it because the moment this hit the news something was done. While in the rice program YL was confronted with it in the news and has been told by the opposition and she still denied there was corruption. 

 

See her laughing about stopping corruption... no wonder it runs in the family

 

Oh and the corruption damages in the rice program was 36 billion.. here they are still talking about 100s of million and lower. So the magnitude was far larger.

Edited March 20, 20188 yr by robblok

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Where is the action? Hey Junta, DO SOMETHING!!!

Like what, pray? For the Junta to do anything to limit graft would be the ultimate case of cutting your nose to spite your face . . . or maybe 'cutting off the hand that feeds you' would be more apt.

12 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Yes, I can see the "difference", that's sort of the issue I'm highlighting.

 

Corruption and neoptism and graft have been rife in the Junta from nearly day 1, and after four years their greed seems unrivaled by just about any past "administrations".

 

It took a whistle-blower (or two) to bring this latest massive corruption scandal to light. Of course, the first inclination was to blame the whistle-blower.

 

Why aren't the responsible Ministers monitoring what's going on? One could assume the worst, or that they are just negligent.

When referring to previous administrations, it must be handy to have selective memory loss. Perhaps if the current minister isn't up to the task, Chalerm could be appointed to investigate, the usual practise in the past. I hear he is available, and reasonably sober before noon.

I wonder if the guilty will be subject to same treatment as Thaksin clan?

6 minutes ago, jonstarjon said:

I wonder if the guilty will be subject to same treatment as Thaksin clan?

Do you mean glorified by idiots, or treated as common criminals?

4 minutes ago, halloween said:

Do you mean glorified by idiots, or treated as common criminals?

"glorified by idiots"

Ah, did you go to the same school of diplomacy as the Khon Kaen deputy governor?

14 minutes ago, jonstarjon said:

I wonder if the guilty will be subject to same treatment as Thaksin clan?

I would certainly hope not.. are you satisfied with people fleeing across the border without real punishment. 

 

These guys should be stripped of their ill gotten gains and send to jail and pay a fine. 

28 minutes ago, robblok said:

 

Big difference, YL has been told about corruption and did nothing but claiming it was taken care of. The junta confronted with this corruption is doing something. Also YL was personally the head chairwoman of the rice program. The only junta minister that you could hold responsible is the one that chairs the anti corruption agencies. Even then you can't compare it because the moment this hit the news something was done. While in the rice program YL was confronted with it in the news and has been told by the opposition and she still denied there was corruption. 

 

See her laughing about stopping corruption... no wonder it runs in the family

 

Oh and the corruption damages in the rice program was 36 billion.. here they are still talking about 100s of million and lower. So the magnitude was far larger.

Congratulations - two well earned prizes: Junta apologist of the year, and one of the finest "but, but, but Thaksin/Yingluck" posts ever seen on this forum!