Picture courtesy of Matichon 

 

The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 1 has sentenced former Bang Kaeo Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO), Samut Prakan, mayor, Mr. Phattharaphon Champarat, to six years in prison without suspension. The ruling, delivered on 18 September 2025, found him guilty of bid rigging in the procurement of a 40-million-baht ALP (aerial ladder platform) fire truck. The court also convicted four other defendants, imposing prison terms.

 

The case, registered under Black Case No. OrTor.129/2567 and Red Case No. OrTor.108/2568, was filed by the Attorney General against five defendants, including Mr. Phattharaphon. At the time, he was mayor of Bang Kaeo SAO in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan and a well-known figure locally. The prosecution alleged that the procurement process was manipulated by setting specifications that matched the products of Chok Sombun Equipment Co., Ltd., ensuring the company won the contract.

 

The court determined that the defendants violated several laws, including Sections 151 and 157 of the Criminal Code, as well as the 1999 Act on Offences Relating to the Submission of Bids to State Agencies, Sections 11 and 12. They were also charged under Section 123/1 of the Organic Act on Counter Corruption (1999) and its 2018 amendment, Section 192. The ruling concluded that the bid conditions were unfairly set to favour a particular bidder, harming state interests.

 

Defendants 1 and 2 were specifically found guilty of misconduct as state officials and of manipulating procurement conditions to prevent fair competition. The court applied Section 12 of the 1999 Act on Offences Relating to Bidding, which carries the heaviest penalty, resulting in six years, prison sentences each. The judgment emphasised that the misconduct constituted one act violating multiple provisions, but punishment was imposed under the most serious law.

 

Defendants 3 to 5 were convicted as supporters of the misconduct, under Section 157 of the Criminal Code and Section 86 on aiding and abetting. They were also found guilty under Sections 11 and 12 of the 1999 bidding law. The court sentenced each of them to four years’ imprisonment without suspension.

 

This ruling underscores ongoing judicial efforts to address corruption in state procurement projects. The case drew public attention due to its high value and the involvement of a senior local official. The judgment signals a strict stance against collusion in public sector contracts.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Former Bang Kaeo SAO mayor sentenced to six years in prison for bid rigging.

• Four co-defendants were each given prison sentences as supporters.

• Court found procurement rules were unfairly tailored to benefit one company.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-09-19

 

 

 

 

 

They just can't help it! How stupid to align a contract spec. with one suppliers product.......an example of the child mentality that often persists in Thailand.