Embezzlement probe focuses on 94 officials

By THE NATION

 

File photo

 

Chiefs of welfare centres to be transferred amid signs of tampering with evidence.
 

THE OFFICE of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has set up subcommittees to investigate 94 officials for their roles in the alleged embezzlement of state funds designated for the destitute, self-development centre, and the San Kamphaeng Cooperative. 

 

“We have also asked the Social Development and Human Security Ministry to transfer the chiefs of protection centres for the destitute in Trang, Chaiyaphum and Buri Ram, as we have found that they tried to tamper with evidence,” PACC board member Pol General Jarumporn Suramanee said yesterday. 

 

He said his agency had also told the Education Ministry that a school director based in Nakhon Phanom province should be transferred, as he had apparently tried to cover up alleged corruption at the protection centre for the destitute in that province. 

 

“Our moves are in line with the Cabinet’s just-approved guidelines on how to deal with corruption cases,” Jarumporn said. 

 

PACC has been investigating all 76 protection centres for the destitute in the country after a university-student intern at the Khon Kaen centre detected irregularities and alerted authorities. In the last fiscal year, the centres received Bt107 million from the state budget. 

 

The ongoing PACC probe has already found evidence of wrongdoing at 53 centres and the other 23 centres are under investigation for corruption.

 

Jarumporn said the ongoing project had detected a distinct pattern of wrongdoing that could be considered almost a guideline for how local officials at various centres could embezzle from the fund. 

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister ACM Prajin Juntong, who heads the Centre for National Anti-Corruption, said separately that the recently approved anti-corruption guidelines applied to all cases. 

 

“After the guidelines came out, 14 officials – most of them police officers – were transferred for alleged human trafficking,” Prajin said. “I can say that many more will be transferred under the guidelines.”

 

Asked about the alleged corruption in the Education Ministry’s Educational Fund for Life Development, Prajin said the investigation would proceed quickly because the guidelines required that a preliminary probe conclude within 30 days. 

 

A senior education official, Rojana Sintee, has said she acted alone in stealing more than Bt100 million from the fund over the past decade. She was dismissed from service even before the Cabinet approved the strict anti-graft guidelines on Tuesday. 

 

“The investigation is still ongoing to determine who else is involved,” Prajin said. 

 

He said everyone engaged in grave offences must be dismissed. 

 

“If there is grounds for charges of criminal wrongdoing, they will also face criminal proceedings,” Prajin added. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30342044

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-30

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

The ongoing PACC probe has already found evidence of wrongdoing at 53 centres and the other 23 centres are under investigation for corruption.

 

Jarumporn said the ongoing project had detected a distinct pattern of wrongdoing that could be considered almost a guideline for how local officials at various centres could embezzle from the fund. 

I don't often say this, but 'Well Done!' to the PACC for their work to date on this.

 

These criminal acts on the part of State Employees are some of the most despicable, disgusting actions that I have ever heard of; who the hell steals from the most destitute? The A.I.D.S. patient? The handicapped? The baht-less elderly? Simply writing this makes me queasy...

 

However, for this work to be meaningful, there NEEDS to be a massive investigation of the higher-ups in each Ministry; a conspiracy of theft on this scale could not occur without the aid and assistance of a central coordinating mechanism, and it seems very clear that it could not occur without the clear knowledge of senior officials up to and including the Minister.

 

What we have seen to date, as disgusting as it is, clearly is only the beginning.

 

This backdates the Junta, but they claimed that they launched their coup because of 'corruption' (among other things) and now is the time for serious action; whether it is fair or not, the Junta owns this scandal/industrialized theft and it is now their responsibility.

 

What's it going to be, Junta?

 

Arrest and prosecute the criminals, all the way up the ladder/food chain? Or sweep it under the carpet like so many others?

It would be very interesting just how these crooks work out the accounting system for everyone to get their little slice.

However it happens, it's obviously a very successful system and one that's been ongoing for possibly decades and very firmly entrenched among the staff....and definately top down!

Similarly, the police. Everyone gets a slice of the pie.

 

“If there is grounds for charges of criminal wrongdoing,"

Is stealing from the poor a criminal offence in Thailand,

or just a moral dilemma.

regards worgeordie

So to date only one person has been dismissed. All the wrongdoers have been transferred, what sort of punishment is that? What a joke...

Steal from poor people is against God.

Jail!

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“If there is grounds for charges of criminal wrongdoing, they will also face criminal proceedings,” Prajin added. 

If this entire bleeding of the system doesn't refer to criminal wrongdoing, why would people be transferred or dismissed? What is the purpose of K. Prajin's above statement?

What will happen? i think we know already: the officials will be suspendet from their position on inactive post...

no consequence , thats what will happen and the poorest of this country are the one who lost...but who cares???

 

Shame on this corrupt system that is protected and suported by the "OFFICIALS" who are responsible for the mess!!!

 

What will change?? Nothing!

94 officials.....that's too kind.....94 grubs would be more appropriate!

 

Embezzlement probe focuses on 94 officials

 

Maybe just me, but "focus" seems more appropriately associated with a less suspects. 94 in a single case would be more like indication of an epidemic.

 

7 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I don't often say this, but 'Well Done!' to the PACC for their work to date on this.

 

These criminal acts on the part of State Employees are some of the most despicable, disgusting actions that I have ever heard of; who the hell steals from the most destitute? The A.I.D.S. patient? The handicapped? The baht-less elderly? Simply writing this makes me queasy...

 

However, for this work to be meaningful, there NEEDS to be a massive investigation of the higher-ups in each Ministry; a conspiracy of theft on this scale could not occur without the aid and assistance of a central coordinating mechanism, and it seems very clear that it could not occur without the clear knowledge of senior officials up to and including the Minister.

 

What we have seen to date, as disgusting as it is, clearly is only the beginning.

 

This backdates the Junta, but they claimed that they launched their coup because of 'corruption' (among other things) and now is the time for serious action; whether it is fair or not, the Junta owns this scandal/industrialized theft and it is now their responsibility.

 

What's it going to be, Junta?

 

Arrest and prosecute the criminals, all the way up the ladder/food chain? Or sweep it under the carpet like so many others?

How so well done PACC, they are as inept as the NACC. This is something that has been going on for years and nobody ever checked anything. They just did not do their job and now that the spotlight is on they are forced to do their job. 

1 hour ago, robblok said:

PACC, they are as inept as the NACC.

That is too kind.

Any ineptness would be simply feigned ignorance to systematic wholesale corruption of a system of governance by unaccountable elitists.

I can understand the frustration and lack of trust with the PACC; it isn't like they have a long and distinguished past record.

 

However, all the stories that we have seen regarding this scandal recently are a GOOD, GOOD thing! When was the last time that you read a newspaper and saw that 94 officials were targeted for corruption? Hell, when was the last time that you saw a newspaper story where 5 officials were targeted? Yes, this scandal has its roots with a temp worker, but weeks later it is still in the news. Do you not see that is both a rare thing and very good thing? We have seen... 10 articles(?) about it over the last few weeks; if we manage to get 10 more then perhaps some of the scum-sucking thieves will actually have to face prosecution? That is a good thing, isn't it?

 

I understand that in Thailand there is rarely any good news regarding corruption, and thus it is easy to expect the worst. That said, so far (So Far!) this is good. Very good. And, if Thailand is lucky, maybe, just maybe more good will come of this.

 

Who knows? The NACC is clearly a wasted organization, but perhaps the PACC will gain some courage and strength... 

 

... and wouldn't it be nice to see some thieving bureaucrat go to jail? Just once? And for stealing monies meant for the destitute? Wouldn't that be poetic? Wouldn't you love to see it? Wouldn't you?

 

Rotten to the core.

10 hours ago, webfact said:

THE OFFICE of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has set up subcommittees to investigate 94 officials for their roles in the alleged embezzlement of state funds

 

94?  That's all???

 

 

Just now, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

94?  That's all???

 

 

You have to start somewhere...

5 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

You have to start somewhere...

Wanna predict how many of these folks will actually be sent to prison after being convicted of embezzlement in criminal court proceedings????

 

0????

 

These guys are as toothless and useless as the black leopard cooking in Premchai's pot.

 

Edited March 30, 20188 yr by TallGuyJohninBKK

1 minute ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Wanna predict how many of these folks will actually be sent to prison after being convicted of embezzlement in criminal court proceedings????

 

0????

 

Respectfully (and I do mean it respectfully), why do you comment here if you honestly believe that nothing will happen?

I mean, what is the point?

Do you really believe that there is no hope? None?

3 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Wanna predict how many of these folks will actually be sent to prison after being convicted of embezzlement in criminal court proceedings????

 

0????

 

 

 

 

So far.

5 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Respectfully (and I do mean it respectfully), why do you comment here if you honestly believe that nothing will happen?

I mean, what is the point?

Do you really believe that there is no hope? None?

 

Based on a long track record of past experience, I'd say ya, no hope.

 

I applaud the effort, but invariably, the system most of the time produces nothing meaningful or corrective in the end, especially in the public sector for so-called civil servants. It's just shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic of corruption.

 

 

Edited March 30, 20188 yr by TallGuyJohninBKK

1 minute ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Based on a long track record of past experience, I'd say ya, no hope.

 

I applaud the effort, but invariably, the system most of the time produces nothing in the end.

 

Wow.

 

Forgive me, I mean no disrespect, but that is a dark attitude.

 

Yes, I am as familiar with Thailand as you, but... Wow. 

 

1 minute ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Wow.

 

Forgive me, I mean no disrespect, but that is a dark attitude.

 

Yes, I am as familiar with Thailand as you, but... Wow. 

 

 

Truth hurts.... If you're familiar with Thailand, what past experience/familiarity with government corruption cases would you have to make you think otherwise? Just about the only exception to that has been when people get on the wrong side of the big cheese, and they get whacked. But otherwise.... not much.

 

You certainly have a point regarding the ineptitude of corruption-fighting to date; I can't really argue with it as it is the rule rather than the exception.

 

It is the idea that there isn't any hope that I find... disturbing (?!). Every country/society on the planet has had a deep corruption phase, but some have pulled out of it; while western countries aren't corruption-free, they have beaten it back quite effectively. And not just western countries; S Korea and Japan have made great progress in fighting corruption and have produced remarkable results.

 

I guess that it is the idea that Thailand can't pull out of the corruption-spiral that I find disturbing. If one doesn't think it is possible, then... what? Having no hope for the future is no way to live.

 

 

Edited March 30, 20188 yr by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

All this corruption is common knowledge. This one is just the tip of the iceberg. This is one of the areas that should have got immediate attention when the Junta took control. It took an inquizative minded student, to open the can.

 

Shame on them all; but what can we do?

 

 

Edited March 30, 20188 yr by owl sees all

4 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I guess that it is the idea that Thai;and can't pull out of the corruption-spiral that I find disturbing. If one doesn't think it is possible, then... what? Having no hope for the future is no way to live.

Well Thais, visitors and resident farang will just have to carry on as usual. 

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I can understand the frustration and lack of trust with the PACC; it isn't like they have a long and distinguished past record.

 

However, all the stories that we have seen regarding this scandal recently are a GOOD, GOOD thing! When was the last time that you read a newspaper and saw that 94 officials were targeted for corruption? Hell, when was the last time that you saw a newspaper story where 5 officials were targeted? Yes, this scandal has its roots with a temp worker, but weeks later it is still in the news. Do you not see that is both a rare thing and very good thing? We have seen... 10 articles(?) about it over the last few weeks; if we manage to get 10 more then perhaps some of the scum-sucking thieves will actually have to face prosecution? That is a good thing, isn't it?

 

I understand that in Thailand there is rarely any good news regarding corruption, and thus it is easy to expect the worst. That said, so far (So Far!) this is good. Very good. And, if Thailand is lucky, maybe, just maybe more good will come of this.

 

Who knows? The NACC is clearly a wasted organization, but perhaps the PACC will gain some courage and strength... 

 

... and wouldn't it be nice to see some thieving bureaucrat go to jail? Just once? And for stealing monies meant for the destitute? Wouldn't that be poetic? Wouldn't you love to see it? Wouldn't you?

 

Of course its a good thing that they finally do their job and that people (maybe) are going to get punished. 

 

I don't understand why you can the NACC wasted while the PACC was even worse (NACC at least started cases) PACC just ignored it. 

 

You know me I am happy for any corruption to be attacked so I do applaud this but its not as if these guys have a good track record. They allowed this for years.

8 minutes ago, robblok said:

You know me I am happy for any corruption to be attacked so I do applaud this but its not as if these guys have a good track record. They allowed this for years.

 

My view exactly.

 

I guess, after reading probably the 1000th Prawit article in the news over the past few months -- NACC doing this or doing that, NACC may do this or may do that -- and knowing it's all going to lead to nothing -- has put me in an anti-corruption doubting mood.

 

But then again, as regards the government officials:

--Anyone going to be held responsible for the fake bomb detector fraud?

--Anyone going to be held responsible for the beating death of the Army recruits?

--What about the corruption/fraud allegations regarding the Army park in Hua Hin?

--What about the diverted funds/crappy work done on the school playgrounds nationwide?

--How about the five or so rounds of NGV bus procurement that have failed to produce any usable buses?

--Anyone being held responsible for abjectly failing to ensure safe public transport services?

 

And there's more, many more, of course. But that's just a sampling.