Authorities target local body chiefs in corruption crackdown

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Authorities target local body chiefs in corruption crackdown

By SURIYA PATATHAYO 
MONGKHONCHAOWARAT TANGMANGMEE 
THE NATION

 

 

AUTHORITIES CONDUCTED simultaneous operations in 10 provinces yesterday to investigate alleged corruption.
 

The crackdown targeted former and current chiefs of local administrative bodies.

 

 

“The operations are mostly in relation to alleged irregularities in the procurement of vacuum trucks,” Pol Maj-General Kamol Rienracha, who heads the police force’s Counter Corruption Division (CCD), said. 

 

There have been allegations of bidding collusion, which reportedly left the public sector with substandard vacuum equipment. 

 

 

The operations were carried out in Chon Buri, Nonthaburi, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Sing Buri, Si Sa Ket, Phetchaburi, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok and Samut Sakhon provinces. 

 

Kamol said his agency aimed to gather solid evidence of corruption so that the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Anti-Corruption Commission could take further actions. 

 

 

In Samut Sakhon province, more than 30 policemen and backup officials searched the house and office of village head Ruangrit Ubonsai. 

 

CCD deputy commander Pol Colonel Chak Pengsathorn said Ruangrit was suspected of committing corruption during his time as the chief executive of Tambon Tasai Administrative Organisation five years ago. 

 

“This organisation procured a vacuum truck in 2013,” Chak said. 

 

 

In Samut Prakan province, Prateep Yangyuen – a former mayor of Tambon Bang Muang – was the target. CCD deputy commander Pol Colonel Praphan Yoocharoendee led a team in searching Prateep’s house. 

 

Prateep was at home when police turned up. 

 

“At the time Prateep was the mayor, his municipality constructed new roads and bought a vacuum truck. The Bt18-million procurement is allegedly mired in corruption,” Praphan said. 

 

His team spent more than three hours at Prateep’s house. 

 

In Phitsanulok province, Pol Colonel Rittikorn Saisanan na Ayutthaya from the CDD searched the house of Narin Wattanakulchai, the current mayor of Aranyik Municipality, following allegations that his local administrative body had bought a vacuum truck at an inflated price. 

 

 

Narin was not at home when officials arrived. His deputy said he was on leave and had travelled to Bangkok. 

 

“We conducted the search to gather evidence of alleged crimes,” Rittikorn said. 

 

 

Vacuum-truck driver Nattawat Wanpaiboon said he did not know how much the vehicle cost. 

 

“But I think it works quite well. We use this truck about 20 days a month in sucking mud out of roads,” he said. He said the municipality commissioned this vacuum truck in late 2013. 

 

There are only three such vehicles in Phitsanulok province. Two others are in service of the Phitsanulok Municipality and Phitsanulok Provincial Administrative Organisation. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30343010

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-12

[mok199]

followed by another ''Probe ''..

[Get Real]

Seems like they never learn. Nice house by the way. Wonder how much money has been put into that. 

[Lungstib]

Some grand looking residences for these govt officials. Must be great pay.

[mikebell]

So there were TEN police raids on big-wig houses and none of the owners were tipped off in advance?  False news - the RTP doesn't work like that.

[RichardColeman]

I'm guessing the 'lardy' in the blue shirt ate all their take to hide the money

[robblok]

I must say more corruption crackdowns and investigations this year than in many years before.. now if they only yield some results.

[Lupatria]

2 hours ago, Get Real said:

Seems like they never learn. Nice house by the way. Wonder how much money has been put into that. 

They would find evidence of corruption in almost all houses like this, owned by a cop, local body chiefs and officials. Just look at the houses and car fleet and compare the value with their salary.

Edited April 12, 2018 by Lupatria

[Anak Nakal]

How local government afford house like this? Rich wife? 

[colinneil]

1 hour ago, Anak Nakal said:

How local government afford house like this? Rich wife? 

How can local government officials afford houses like that..... corruption thats how.

[Lobber]

used for "sucking mud out of Roads" ??????????????????????? 

[Somtamnication]

LOL. The whole system will collapse if they are honestly investigated. Phuket alone will be a desolate place!

[baboon]

2 hours ago, robblok said:

I must say more corruption crackdowns and investigations this year than in many years before.. now if they only yield some results.

It's all politics, Rob. All politics...

[robblok]

1 minute ago, baboon said:

It's all politics, Rob. All politics...

Will see Baboon, but you will have to agree that more corruption has been uncovered recently then for a long time.

Now only if something really comes from this (punishment) its a good thing and shows improvement. Politics or not if corrupt practices are targeted I will be happy. I read that more then 80% of the money at the welfare centers was stolen.. only 20% reached the poor. So yea... I am happy they are targeted havent seen that happen before. (but as I said only if we see punishment otherwise its nothing)

[NoshowJones]

Corruption Crackdown?????????????? Oh! wait, do they mean another 24 hour crackdown???? 

[NoshowJones]

5 hours ago, Lungstib said:

Some grand looking residences for these govt officials. Must be great pay.

Bet there's a few bonfires throughout the year with brown envelopes.

[lvr181]

 

On 4/12/2018 at 9:15 AM, Get Real said:

Seems like they never learn. Nice house by the way. Wonder how much money has been put into that. 

Just another 'lip service' crackdown! 

 

Probably the 'brown bag' has not been extended far enough up the ladder? 

Edited April 16, 2018 by lvr181
Double post

[Oziex1]

Any rich dead friends and loans involved here.

 

Sorry that excuse is in use and copyrighted.

[Oziex1]

Corrupt they are, it remains to be seen what action and the severity of the action that will be taken.

 

How do they feel when the government behaves in such corrupt ways (Watches etc) and then sends the authorities after them.

 

The Government needs to set a better example.

 

What is the progress on the matter of the millions stolen from the funds for the poor?

 

[lvr181]

"The Government needs to set a better example."

 

Agreed but, that is an oxymoron. 

[anon467848]

Window dressing to show that the Govt. is cracking down on corruption. The pilfered amounts being investigated pales into insignificance compared to the major trough feeders higher up the ladder...