In a significant anti-corruption crackdown, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has apprehended Thawatchai Thabtimthong, a specialised land officer from Krabi, for the illegal issuance of 33 land titles within a permanent forest area. This arrest marks a serious move against corruption in Thailand’s land rights administration.

 

Thawatchai was arrested under a warrant from the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases of Region 8, following accusations of using his official position for personal gain and causing damage to state land. The charges are in violation of Sections 151 and 157 of the Criminal Code.

 

As a land officer since 2005, Thawatchai was responsible for verifying land rights, boundaries, and ownership under the Department of Lands’ regulations. However, despite knowing that the 33 land titles fell within a protected forest area, he falsely reported they met legal criteria and submitted fraudulent documents to his superiors.

 

 

 

 

The investigation, led by Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, Secretary-General of the NACC, and Suchart Kluykitanon, Assistant Secretary-General of NACC Region 8, revealed Thawatchai's deliberate intent to damage state land and unlawfully transfer it to other individuals.

 

Thawatchai was found residing in Chulabhorn district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, tracked down, and handed over to prosecutors at the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Region 8. He now faces prosecution at the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases.

 

This arrest underscores the ongoing efforts to uphold integrity and protect state resources from corruption. The NACC has reiterated its commitment to pursuing justice and ensuring public officials adhere to the law.

 

Photo: The Thaiger

 

-- 2024-09-18

 

 

Better late than never

Krabi...

What a horrid place.

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thawatchai Thabtimthong, a specialised land officer

Specialising in corruption...

Worth nothing until he faces court, is convicted and punished. The people he did the illegal titles for will make sure he is protected 

Only one ?

Execute him.

7 minutes ago, Hardcastle P said:

Only one ?

Indeed, if they dig a little deeper they may find higher-ups involved.

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

and submitted fraudulent documents to his superiors.

Of course he did. His superiors are blameless.....😋

it is every land office...  2024, cannot make AI to find all this corruption in seconds?

So they drew up the deed on national forest and then took money for the land they fabricated? I bet this has happened more than once in many areas.