50-Year Prison Sentence for Corruption: Official Embezzles 400k Baht from Prisoner Aid Shop

[webfact]

 

The NACC has issued a statement on a corruption case involving an official at Tak Province's Central Prison. Mr. S., managing the inmate welfare store, is accused of misusing funds. 

 

Allegedly, he made purchases totaling 418,560 Baht on credit but didn't pay, diverting the money for personal use across 35 incidents. Following an investigation, the NACC found him guilty under Article 147 of the Criminal Code, reported Siam Rath. 

 

The Public Prosecutor pressed charges, resulting in his conviction for multiple corruption offenses. 

 

He received a 50-year sentence, with 35 consecutive 5-year terms and an order to repay 418,560 Baht to the prison. The court aims to uphold justice and deter future misconduct.

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

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[Geoffggi]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He received a 50-year sentence, with 35 consecutive 5-year terms and an order to repay 418,560 Baht to the prison. The court aims to uphold justice and deter future misconduct.

Now the authorities are getting the idea, it's called a "Deterrent" if only they would see this (Deterrent) in other types of sentencing instead of the soft slap on the wrist.

[Tropicalevo]

But when granddad is rich and owns a famous drinks company, you can get away with killing a policemen whilst driving your car high on cocaine and drunk.

Not much of a deterrent there.

[Korat Kiwi]

Methinks this guy will never see the light of day again. 

[grain]

5 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Now the authorities are getting the idea, it's called a "Deterrent" if only they would see this (Deterrent) in other types of sentencing instead of the soft slap on the wrist.

The thing with the slap-on-the-wrist and a 500Bt fine crowd is there are soooooooooooooo many of them. If they all got what they really deserve, which is 3,6,12,18 months behind bars, the Thai prisons would be so overcrowded it would be ridiculous, they'd be stacked up to the ceilings. I'm sure the judges are aware of this. There are just too many miscreants for the Thai system to effectively deal with.

[Geoffggi]

I agree, but they could increase the fines substantially, please don't say but they can't afford to pay, as this fine is also supposed to be a deterrent & not just a fine.  

[brianthainess]

I hope he never gets bail or put in a secure unit, he deservers to spend time in a 20+ inmate cell. Screws Stealing from inmates is abhorrent, I hope he gets his just reward. 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

I agree, but they could increase the fines substantially, please don't say but they can't afford to pay, as this fine is also supposed to be a deterrent & not just a fine.  

How is it a deterrent if they can't or won't pay?

Jail time sticks.

[AhFarangJa]

I think he needs to contact a certain ex p.m. recently released on bail for a few pointers on how to get away with any prison time.

[Geoffggi]

59 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

How is it a deterrent if they can't or won't pay?

Jail time sticks.

Youn said it

[Dr B]

And at 50 years for Bt 418,560, how much would you get for stealing Bt 73 billion from the Thai people?

[still kicking]

So Thaksin embezzled billions of bath walks free?

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, still kicking said:

So Thaksin embezzled billions of bath walks free?

Did he ?  ... NO

 

Was that the charge, or 'abuse of power', as there is a difference.  And he was originally sentence to 8 years.   That sentence commuted, which is available to and criminal sentence, if lucky enough to have done.

 

Embezzlement & fraud is a different crime, and carries a different sentence.  And I believe a minimum of 2 yrs for each incident, so if committing fraud, 25 times, then a 50 yr sentence would be correct, whether served concurrent or not would be a major issue.

[john donson]

the only way to try to deter corruption, specially from government people, would be an effective death sentence, does china not do that or did singapore not do it ?

[ross163103]

Obviously he didn't spread the brown envelopes around enough......or maybe not at all! Maybe the higher ups were pissed off they didn't get it before he did, that would piss some people off! 

I've heard of people getting less for murder, rape of children, etc, he just embezzled money........hmmmmm.

[Dr B]

On 2/21/2024 at 3:02 AM, KhunLA said:

Did he ?  ... NO

 

Was that the charge, or 'abuse of power', as there is a difference.  And he was originally sentence to 8 years.   That sentence commuted, which is available to and criminal sentence, if lucky enough to have done.

 

Embezzlement & fraud is a different crime, and carries a different sentence.  And I believe a minimum of 2 yrs for each incident, so if committing fraud, 25 times, then a 50 yr sentence would be correct, whether served concurrent or not would be a major issue.

I actually didn't use the term "embezzlement", since that has a specific legal meaning. I said "stealing". That is a term I would use for paying a senior government official for approving the purchase of hardware at inflated prices, since government funds are public funds. I would also use it for paying an even more senior government official to approve a monopolistic concession, so that he could again overcharge for mobile phones and telecommunications services, all paid for by the Thai people. That is in addition to taking government funds for the awarding of state contracts, of which I had personal experience. Nor do I recall any evidence of his having paid tax on any of that. The abuse of power charges were, rather like Al Capone, all they could get him for as no-one would be a witness to any of the other stuff.