Bangkok Official Arrested Over 9 Million Baht Bribery Scandal

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Picture courtesy: Khaosod
 

A senior Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) official has been arrested for allegedly accepting a 9 million baht bribe to alter road construction plans, seizing luxury cars and Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the process.

 

The arrest was made early this morning during coordinated raids at five locations across Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces.

 

The operation, led by Brigadier General Prasong Chelimpun, head of the Anti-Corruption Division, targeted a network of BMA officials implicated in a bribery scheme involving the alteration of road plans to benefit Windsor Park and Golf Club.

 

The primary target was Peemphong, a senior engineer in the BMA’s Rights Management Division, and his wife. Officers conducted a search at their residence in Ban Mai, Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, where they discovered a Mercedes-Benz, a Toyota Camry, and five Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

 

“We have conducted a thorough search and seized significant evidence,” an officer stated.

 

 

The investigation uncovered that Peemphong and his associates solicited a 9 million baht bribe to modify the boundary of the Liabwaree Road project, ensuring it did not encroach upon the Windsor Park and Golf Club. This illicit activity was allegedly coordinated to benefit certain private interests at the expense of public infrastructure plans.

 

“Our goal is to root out corruption and ensure transparency in public office,” said Brigadier General Prasong. 

 

The raids were initiated based on strong evidence of misconduct, and the luxury items discovered suggest the bribe money was used to purchase high-value assets. Authorities are now delving deeper into financial records and communications to identify any additional parties involved.

 

Thai authorities will hold a formal press conference at 4pm today to present the overall results of the operations at all five locations. The Anti-Corruption Division's actions underscore a broader effort to maintain integrity within government institutions and ensure public projects serve the community’s best interests rather than private entities.

 

-- 2024-05-20

 

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[OneMoreFarang]

It's almost funny that every time such officials are investigated there are luxury vehicles, big houses, cash, etc. And then it is obvious for everybody that they couldn't possibly afford all this with their salaries.

And then there are all those other officials who live in the same luxury, but it seems nobody asks how they can afford that. Strange...