Thai health official’s family embroiled in 50 million baht corruption case

[webfact]

Public Health Minister Chalnan Srikaew today revealed a corruption case involving a senior official from the Department of Medical Science, her daughter, and her son-in-law. The trio was involved in fraudulent activities, falsifying documents, and misappropriation of funds causing over 50 million baht in damages.

 

Chalnan yesterday received a report from Yongyos Thamwutti, the acting director of the Department of Medical Science. The case was already under the scrutiny of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) following a complaint. The previous director had been monitoring the situation and passed the case on to the new director who collaborated with the NACC.

 

The implicated individuals were promptly removed from their positions pending investigation. Once clear evidence was obtained, legal proceedings were initiated by the NACC. The corruption managed to slip through the existing checks and balances, highlighting flaws in the system.

This incident has led to a comprehensive review and overhaul of the procurement process across all departments. Chalnan and the Permanent Secretary of the Public Health Ministry discussed the need to improve internal auditing and monitoring procedures.

 

by Nattapong Westwood

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-12-09

 

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[Huckenfell]

 Thai officials of every government are only  there to commit corruption wherever they can. According to the size of the corruption determines the success or otherwise. This is Thai ruling class mentality.

[Huckenfell]

1 minute ago, Huckenfell said:

 Thai officials of every government are only  there to commit corruption wherever they can. According to the size of the corruption determines the success or otherwise. This is Thai ruling class mentality.

If these officials are found to be guilty then everything they own must be confiscated. This will make others think twice before trying such theft.

 

[Gknrd]

Business as usual in the LOS's

[Tequila makes me happy]

Don't often get a pic of confiscated funds being divided up and packed into their brown envelopes ready for distribution. Looks like a well oiled and highly experienced operation, bully for this team of professionals.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The trio was involved in fraudulent activities, falsifying documents, and misappropriation of funds causing over 50 million baht in damages

Corruption at every level... 50 million is no small amount, yet it went un-noticed for a long time is worrying?

[ezzra]

When government officials, police and the judiciary are corrupt, no wonder why such people did what they did with impunity thinking they can buy their way out if and when the get caught...

Edited December 9, 2023 by ezzra

[rudi49jr]

How is this news? A high ranking government official and their relatives involved in corruption? Gee, who’d have think it. My bet is that nearly all high ranking officials are involved in some sort of racket, corruption or whatnot and the only reason this ever comes to light is when one of them refuses to share the kickbacks with their ‘colleagues’ (i.e. partners in crime) and gets ratted on by one or more of those same ‘colleagues’. The system is corrupt to the bone.

[soalbundy]

So this family wont be going to the anti=corruption event, never mind, I'm sure they will be amply represented by giggling officials who all have their ducks in a row.

[cncltd1973]

"The corruption case serves as a wake-up call for the department, and the opportunity will be taken to improve systems and procedures."

 

yes, valuable lessons learned at the department on how not to get caught.

 

also, free speech is so restricted that the report reads more like a rumor. no names and few specifics, laws designed to protect corruptors.

 

[mikebell]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

The corruption managed to slip through the existing checks and balances, highlighting flaws in the system.

The main flaw is genetic.  They're all at it & pay higher-ups to ignore the ones below them.

[Suua]

The main flaw is that Thais grow up thinking corruption is the norm.

They learn it from birth onwards and know no different.

It's the awful human failures from the top of society that have cast this mould.

It will be many years before society as a whole will see this as 'not normal'.

[Bassosa]

2 hours ago, Suua said:

The main flaw is that Thais grow up thinking corruption is the norm.

They learn it from birth onwards and know no different.

It's the awful human failures from the top of society that have cast this mould.

It will be many years before society as a whole will see this as 'not normal'.

This is true. A friend runs a building supplies company for government building projects. She recently was told she was under investigation from anti-corruption agencies. A 42-year old woman that amassed a fortune colluding with civil servants literally had no idea that what she did was illegal. She even had to be convinced that providing fake invoices to these civil servants was wrong.

[BayArea]

Thailand as a whole is fleece from top to bottom at every imaginable level.  It's a miracle this corrupted country can even function just enough to keep their heads above water. Nothing will changed.   There is no checks and balance so all the dirty dealings goes without any impunity 

[Artisi]

On 12/9/2023 at 2:19 PM, Huckenfell said:

If these officials are found to be guilty then everything they own must be confiscated. This will make others think twice before trying such theft.

 

in your wildest dreams, considering it was just an honest mistake.