In a high-profile operation, law enforcement officers, including a special commando unit, arrested the mayor of a subdistrict administrative organisation (SAO) and his associates on charges of large-scale fraud amounting to hundreds of millions of baht.

 

On the morning of November 16, Pol. Col. Somboon Siraeng, Superintendent of Nakhon Thai Police Station, Phitsanulok Province, led the raid in coordination with investigators from Phitsanulok province and a commando unit from the Central Investigation Bureau. Nearly 100 officers launched “Operation Dawn at Nabua” at the Nakhon Thai Police Station before dispersing teams armed with 16 court-issued warrants for search and arrest.

 

The primary target was the residence of the alleged ringleader, identified in warrant No. 414/67 issued on November 15 by the Nakhon Thai Provincial Court. The operation also targeted 15 other suspects located in the same area.

 

The suspects, including the village chief who chaired a local community bank, face charges of fraud and illegal borrowing schemes. Investigators revealed that this case is one of eight similar investigations involving 700 victims and a financial loss of 107 million baht. Combined with the other cases, the total damages exceed 400 million baht.

 

The operation began at dawn, with officers converging on Nabua Village, Nakhon Thai District, where all suspects resided. The primary focus was the home of Mr. Somsak Chandi, the village bank’s president and the SAO mayor of Nabua.

 

When officers arrived, they called for Mr. Somsak, who emerged in pajamas looking visibly startled. After officers presented the search and arrest warrants, Mr. Somsak reportedly froze momentarily before reacting angrily. He accused the superintendent of unfair targeting, claiming his home had been searched three times. Meanwhile, his visibly upset daughter argued with both the media and police present at the scene.

 

Despite initial resistance, Mr. Somsak eventually changed into formal attire and complied, accompanying officers in an unmarked police vehicle to Nakhon Thai Police Station for further questioning.

 

This raid marks a significant step in the crackdown on financial fraud affecting rural communities, with authorities pledging to pursue justice for all victims.

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

-- 2024-11-17

 

Is there a honest government worker in Thailand, one that doesn’t accept donations or skimming?

On 11/17/2024 at 2:24 AM, Georgealbert said:

The suspects, including the village chief who chaired a local community bank, face charges of fraud and illegal borrowing schemes. Investigators revealed that this case is one of eight similar investigations involving 700 victims and a financial loss of 107 million baht. Combined with the other cases, the total damages exceed 400 million baht.

The trusted headman.... corruption is everywhere, just the depth that varies, and it seems he has been very busy.

58 minutes ago, Theforgotten1 said:

Is there a honest government worker in Thailand, one that doesn’t accept donations or skimming?

No.

 

Thailand has a relatively low rate for most "formal" taxes, compared to many countries, partly through design and partly through incompetence in collecting.

 

However, when you factor in the "informal" taxation inevitable when dealing with any government organisation or individual with absolutely any regulatory or law enforcement role the "take" is probably as high as most countries; they're all at it!

 

There was a thread running, (only slightly tongue in cheek) a few years back suggesting that all uniforms (brown, khaki and green) should be tailored without pockets!

I hope they come and get ours , since he won , brand new house with a beautiful looking restaurant next to it , covered parking for a dozen vehicles , a new pick up .

Before he won , dirty old house , breeze blocks and brick building , beat up old pick up.

 

 

4 hours ago, Theforgotten1 said:

Is there a honest government worker in Thailand, one that doesn’t accept donations or skimming?

no

5 hours ago, Theforgotten1 said:

Is there a honest government worker in Thailand, one that doesn’t accept donations or skimming?

there are some and they can most likely be counted on 1 hand, and I use my wife (recently elected pooyai baan) as an example. All our villages previous pooyai baans have charged a fee (which they are not supposed to) to certify document copies etc. which have gone directly into their pockets.

With all the certifications that has been required for Myanmar & Laos people who have lived in Thailand for more than 20 years being granted citizenship, she has been offered fees usually around 500 baht each but she has refused on the basis of it's her job to do it for free. Some of them have insisted, so she's issued a receipt and told the relevant people that their cash will be used as a donation towards the village, and it has been deposited in the village's bank account. She's also made it known to the households in the village that run their small casinos that no bribes will be paid to the police, so they run their casinos at their own risk. She has the support of the vast majority of the village over both these issues.

 

So in short, there are some who are not involved in any form of corruption.

5 hours ago, Theforgotten1 said:

Is there a honest government worker in Thailand, one that doesn’t accept donations or skimming?

 

No. In south east asia yo will not find such a counytry, If you do. Pm me

I have a theory, that they are allowed to steal to a certain amount, as long as they never 'insult' a specific person and share a bit of their robbings with a higher up