Crime Finance Chief Arrested in Her Office for Embezzling ฿9 Million in Local Government Funds

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A senior finance officer at a local administrative office in Yasothon province has been arrested at her workplace for embezzling more than 9 million baht in public funds. The suspect allegedly siphoned the money into personal and family bank accounts under the guise of legitimate budget disbursements.

 

At approximately 11:30 on 18 June, a team led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Jaroonkiat Pankeaw, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Prasong Chalempun, Commander of the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD), together with officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), arrested Ms. Wanida 46, Director of the Finance Division of the Kham Phai Subdistrict Administrative Organisation in Thai Charoen District, Yasothon.

 

She was detained in her office under an arrest warrant issued by the Region 3 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. The charges include:

 

• Misappropriation of public funds by a government official

• Wilful misconduct or dereliction of duty

• Abuse of public office for personal gain

 

According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Jaroonkiat, the ACD launched an investigation following a complaint that Wanida had misused her authority to embezzle local government funds. As finance director, she had full access to and oversight of the disbursement of the organisation’s budget.

 

Investigators found that Wanida had systematically submitted false financial requests using her own name and the names of other civil servants, including those who had retired or been transferred, to approve budget disbursements. These funds were then transferred directly into her personal bank account or to accounts belonging to relatives and close associates.

 

A financial audit of the office’s records from 2024 to the present uncovered 27 suspicious transactions amounting to over 9 million baht. Of this, approximately 6 million baht was traced directly to Wanida’s account, with a further 3 million baht distributed to people in her close circle.

 

During interrogation, Wanida confessed to the embezzlement, claiming she had been under severe financial pressure due to debts from unregulated loan apps and being a victim of a call-centre scam. She stated she needed funds to pay exorbitant interest rates and cover financial losses from the scam.

 

However, investigators expressed doubt over the full truth of her explanation and have proceeded with formal charges. Wanida is now in custody and will face legal proceedings in accordance with anti-corruption laws.

 

Authorities have vowed to continue investigations to determine whether other officials may have been complicit and to recover the misappropriated funds.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-20