Seven Sports Officials Arrested for Fraudulent Bus Repair Claims Worth 2.7 Million Baht

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Seven Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) sports officials have been arrested for allegedly falsifying 28 bus repair claims, causing a financial loss of 2.79 million baht to the state.

 

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), in collaboration with the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), launched an investigation into fraudulent procurement practices within the Sports Division of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

 

Following their inquiries, officials arrested seven suspects at the Sports Division office in Din Daeng, Bangkok, identified as:

 

1. Damrong – Arrested under Corruption and Misconduct Court Warrant No. J.19/2568

2. Phumin – Arrested under Warrant No. J.20/2568

3. Komkrit – Arrested under Warrant No. J.21/2568

4. Patinya – Arrested under Warrant No. J.22/2568

5. Sirikan – Arrested under Warrant No. J.25/2568

6. Apinan – Charged but not yet detained

7. Suchawadee – Charged but not yet detained

 

They are accused of misconduct in public office, falsifying official documents, and engaging in corrupt practices, in violation of Sections 157 and 162(1)(4) of the Criminal Code, as well as Section 172 of the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption (2018), in conjunction with Section 83 of the Penal Code.

 

The fraud was uncovered following an audit by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), which detected irregularities in bus repair contracts for five 45-50 seat air-conditioned buses under the Sports Division’s administration. The investigation found that between 2022 and 2024, officials had falsely approved payments for repairs that never took place.

 

Initially, auditors identified 11 instances of fraudulent claims, but further investigations by the PACC and BMA revealed 12 additional cases. The BMA then uncovered five more, bringing the total to 28 fraudulent transactions amounting to 2,790,748 baht.

 

The scheme allegedly involved forging repair invoices, inflating costs, and submitting false documentation for approval. The seven accused officials were responsible for handling procurement, forging price quotes, and authorising the fake transactions.

 

On 22 November 2024, the BMA filed an official complaint with the Anti-Corruption Division of the CIB, leading to arrest warrants being issued.

 

On 12 March 2025, the seven suspects voluntarily surrendered to the authorities. They have been formally charged, and investigations are ongoing. During initial questioning, all suspects denied the allegations.

 

Authorities are expected to conduct further inquiries and legal proceedings as they gather additional evidence.

 

-- 2025-03-13

 

[Geoffggi]

Maybe this explains the unusually high number of brake failures on commercial vehicles in Thailand

[impulse]

I wonder who they really pissed off?