Ex-Mayor Accused of Forcing Through Faulty CCTV Contract

Pictures courtesy of Daily News.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has ruled that a former mayor of Khlong Lo Subdistrict in Trang province, along with several municipal officials, coerced committee members into approving unfinished CCTV repair works, in order to authorise payment to the contractor.

The NACC’s Trang office announced on 29 August that Thanakrit Phummimat, former mayor of Khlong Lo municipality and a number of colleagues had pressured inspection committee members to sign off on repairs that had not been completed, threatening them with disciplinary punishment if they refused. Some committee members recorded the threats as evidence, after repeatedly finding that CCTV cameras remained unusable despite official claims of completion.

Investigators found that Thanakrit not only authorised but also signed off on payment to World Vision Network Co. Ltd., the contractor, despite knowing the work was incomplete. The NACC concluded there was evidence of criminal wrongdoing under Thailand’s Penal Code and the Anti-Corruption Act, including abuse of office and falsification of official documents.

The commission also ruled that:

• Reuknarit Srimai, the municipal clerk, and Somsak Nuurak, a senior electrician, were complicit in certifying false records and face both criminal and serious disciplinary charges.

• Kritsada Kongsong, head of the municipal finance division, had no case to answer due to lack of evidence.

• World Vision Network Co. Ltd. and director Chayisara Thee-uthit face charges of supporting corruption by colluding with officials to release state funds dishonestly.

• Three other officials, Kanaphot Sriprapa, Phinyou Hotamand Wisuth Uamkhong, avoided criminal charges but were found guilty of lesser disciplinary breaches.

The NACC has referred the case to the Attorney General for prosecution, and disciplinary proceedings will be launched against the implicated officials. The Comptroller General’s Department has also been notified regarding the contractor, which could now be blacklisted as a company that abandoned its work.

The investigation followed complaints that inspection committee members were being harassed and punished after refusing to approve incomplete work. In one instance, officials who resisted signing off were themselves subjected to disciplinary inquiries ordered by the mayor.

The NACC stressed that all accused parties remain innocent until proven guilty in court.

Thanakrit, widely known locally as “Mayor Job”, served multiple terms as mayor before stepping down. His son, Lt. Nattapong Phummimat(“Mayor Arm”), succeeded him in office after winning the most recent municipal election.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-08-30