Crime Former MP Arrested for Embezzlement After Fleeing to Laos

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Authorities have apprehended former Member of Parliament Peerawit Ruangludlapak, 47, who allegedly embezzled party funding before fleeing to Laos.

 

The arrest was carried out on 22 August by senior officials including Pol Lt Gen Suraphol Prembut, Commissioner of Region 1 Police, Pol Maj Gen Naradet Thiprak, Deputy Commissioner of Region 1, Pol Maj Gen Worachat Saenkham, Chief of the Region 1 Crime Suppression Division, and Pol Maj Gen Thammanoon Chaowanich, Chief of Saraburi Provincial Police. Officers from Phra Phutthabat Police Station, the Nong Khai Immigration Office, and the Election Commission of Thailand in Nong Khai Province also participated.

 

Peerawit was wanted under two arrest warrants issued by the Saraburi Provincial Court: warrant 117/2566 dated 16 June 2023 (Criminal Case 417/2564, Phra Phutthabat Police Station) and warrant 24/2567 dated 22 January 2024 (Criminal Case 150/2566, Phra Phutthabat Police Station).

 

According to investigations, in 2019 Peerawit, then leader of the Thai Rak Tham Party, received approximately 17.6 million baht in party funding. However, no proper financial records were submitted, prompting the Election Commission to file a complaint. Peerawit and party treasurer Patpimol Chimnakpan initially cooperated but later evaded authorities. Police subsequently issued warrants charging them with using party funds for personal or third-party benefit.

 

Peerawit reportedly fled to Vientiane, Laos, to conduct personal business. Thai authorities coordinated with Laotian police, who arrested him and returned him to Thailand. Upon questioning, Peerawit admitted to the wrongdoing and acknowledged fleeing to Laos for business reasons. He has now been handed over to Phra Phutthabat Police for further legal proceedings.

 

This is not the first controversy surrounding Peerawit. In 2022, he faced allegations of defrauding 500,000 baht in exchange for lottery quota rights. The Parliamentary Ethics Committee, however, found insufficient evidence to prove misconduct. He has also been involved in a civil case concerning student activity fees for a law degree programme, with a court ruling in 2021 ordering him to pay 21,500 baht plus interest and legal fees.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-08-23