Villagers Demand Justice After THB 8 Million Disappears from Local Welfare Fund in Surin

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

Dozens of residents from Nong Khwao subdistrict, Sikhoraphum district in Surin province, have submitted a formal complaint after discovering that more than 8 million baht contributed to a long-running community welfare fund has vanished, with local leaders claiming the fund has been “dissolved.”

The villagers, led by Mr Theerawat (65), Mr Sai, and Ms Ratchanee, submitted a petition to Mr Natthaphon Phongpiyanurat, Chairman of the People’s Prosecutors Committee of Surin province. The petition calls for an investigation into the former village headman and three other individuals associated with the fund, officially known as the “Moral Merit Welfare Fund”, established in 2009.

The fund was created by former village headman Mr Phun, who served as chairman, with Mr Phet, Mr Thalaengchai as deputy chairs and Mr Weeraphan as secretary. The fund’s purpose was to provide local welfare support under a formal charter that explicitly prohibited dissolution (Clause 29), and required clear accounting practices and public transparency.

According to the complainants, no financial reports were ever provided to members, and disbursements were carried out in secrecy. The fund operated on a daily saving scheme of one baht per person, collected over six-month intervals. Despite the community’s consistent contributions, the fund leaders recently claimed the fund was empty and had been “disbanded.”

Mr Theerawat recounted a particularly distressing episode at a funeral, where instead of receiving welfare support, his family was handed an empty envelope, which the fund’s representatives photographed to falsely document a disbursement. Villagers claim such incidents were not isolated.

Repeated complaints had been made to local authorities, including the Sikhoraphum District Damrongtham Centre and the case was filed with Sikhoraphum Police Station. Attempts at mediation by the Surin Provincial Justice Office were unsuccessful, with officials citing the fund’s prior dissolution and lack of remaining funds.

Community members, many of whom are elderly and unfamiliar with legal procedures, said they felt powerless. “We gave money all these years, but when we needed help, they said the fund was gone,” said one frustrated villager.

Mr Natthaphon and a group of local prosecutors and legal advisors received the complaint and provided preliminary legal advice. They advised the petitioners to gather supporting documents, including expenditure records, official complaint logs, and correspondence with local and provincial justice offices.

Officials have promised a full investigation into the allegations, vowing to uncover the truth and explore legal options to recover the lost funds and hold those responsible accountable. The villagers, although disheartened, expressed hope that their appeal for justice will not be ignored.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-06-20