Crime Anti-Corruption Office Cracks Down on 18 Local Officials

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

The Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has taken decisive action against 18 former local government leaders implicated in a series of corruption cases, resulting in losses exceeding 23.7 million baht.

 

A press conference was held at the NACC provincial office on the third floor, attended by Surirat Nuanchimplee, Director of the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial NACC Office, along with representatives from the local administrative promotion office, Damrongtham Centre, provincial governance committees, media outlets and other related agencies.

 

Surirat revealed that in 2025, the provincial NACC office had already filed 43 charges against officials accused of misconduct or abuse of authority, of which 22 cases have been submitted to the Office of the Attorney General. The majority of these cases involve subdistrict administrative organisations (SAOs) and municipalities.

 

Among the most serious cases, former SAO Tonod chief Waraporn Limpapan was found to have conflicts of interest in 13 construction projects in 2009. Evidence showed that a company she previously co-owned was awarded seven of the contracts, with current management lacking relevant construction experience and using equipment from a company based at her residence. Waraporn has been charged with abuse of office and disciplinary and legal proceedings are underway.

 

Another high-profile case involves former SAO Ban Praeng chief Kongsin Chitcharoenthip and associates, who allegedly manipulated land prices to purchase land for a new SAO building in 2013 at a price significantly above market value. Kongsin and others have been charged with abuse of authority and face legal and disciplinary action, including recovery of public funds.

 

Former municipality chief Seri Chaikit and colleagues are also accused of rigging a 2012 procurement of 79 fitness equipment items worth over 4.4 million baht. Investigations revealed collusion among three companies submitting nearly identical bids, along with manipulated qualification requirements and pricing to favour certain suppliers. Legal and disciplinary actions are in progress.

 

Overall, the NACC in Nakhon Ratchasima has charged 18 former local government leaders, including former SAO and municipal chiefs, for offences ranging from conflicts of interest and inflated procurement to bid-rigging and embezzlement. Additional charges have been filed against clerks, department heads and procurement staff involved or complicit in the wrongdoing.

 

Surirat stressed that being charged by the NACC does not constitute a conviction and all suspects remain presumed innocent until a final court ruling is issued. Beyond enforcement, the NACC also conducted asset and debt audits for officials in 334 local government bodies, reviewing 2,328 declarations. One individual was found to have deliberately submitted false or incomplete information, highlighting the ongoing role of transparency in preventing corruption.

 

The total estimated financial damage from these cases exceeds 23.7 million baht, not including other losses that are difficult to quantify.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-08-27

 

 

 

[Sigmund]

Very good. How about tackling now those officials in the Police or at Immigration ?