Nan: – Anti-graft busters have arrested and charged a local government leader for receiving Bt29, 400 kickbacks in exchange for the approval to disburse the money for a work contract.

Dechawut Senya, 34, chairman of Tambon Namtok Administrative Organisation, denied the charge, arguing he received a gift not meant for a return benefit.

In his complaint, contractor Withaya Temduang said Dechawut had sought and received bribes.

Withaya said he was the winning bidder for the construction of a local road in Tambon Namtok, Na Noi district.

Before awarding the contract, Dechawut demanded the kickbacks worth 5 per cent of the construction cost, he said.

He said he agreed to pay Dechawut because he wanted to avoid any delay in getting paid for the work.

The bribes would be paid in two instalments, one for Bt15, 000 paid after advance payment for work and another for Bt29, 400 paid before getting the final payment.

Due to time constraints in organising the sting operation, anti-graft busters suggested for the contractor to pay the first-instalment of kickbacks in order to prevent Dechawut from suspecting any attempt to catch him in the act.

Before the second instalment payment, the contractor had finalised the formal complaint and the authorities had marked and recorded the banknotes as evidence.

Police rushed into the Dechawut’s office while Withaya was paying him. The banknotes in Dechawut’s wallet matched the serial numbers recorded as evidence.

Police took custody of Dechawut although he said the money was gratuitous gift. He refused to answer any question and would claim his right to testify in court.

I love it.

More of that, please, dear government.

The turning point against corruption and kickbacks is not far away.

Clearly they should all be pursued with vigour. However, dealing with the small stuff and ignoring the robber barons is not going to help Thailand much.

Only the smallest tip of a very big iceberg.

Guess he didn't share upstairs. This will teach him.

Whooo Hoo! 29K. What about the thousands of millionaires created by rampant corruption over the past 10 or 20 years!

Any chairman of any Tambon's Administrative Organisation should refuse all gifts until they are first openly declared and cleared by an independent ethics committee.

Right... Not even in America.

Be proud....you nailed one small bacteria cell in an ocean of whales.

I love it.

More of that, please, dear government.

The turning point against corruption and kickbacks is not far away.

yeah right "turning point not far" its more low hanging fruit

when they get the ones with 3+ more zeroes on the figures then there will be something to celebrate

till then, fodder for the easily mis-lead!

Only the smallest tip of a very big iceberg.

Sure, and in its self of little significance.

What this, along with some of the other recent events in Thailand does is to start people to question the status que. What needs to change is a attitude that has evolved over a number of generations and resulted in a total disregard for the law or what should be social norms. We have the everyone else is doing it so why shouldn't I. Individuals and organisations have operated with the knowledge that others are doing this so I can not be challenged..

I don't know why this contractor did what he did and it does not really matter. What is occurring is that individuals are starting to feel empowered to speak up against curuption. The empowerment of individuals and groups to speak up, and what they say be acted upon is one of the changes that are required if Thailand is ever to become a real democracy.

Some TVF posts constantly complain that not enough is being done or that it is only the small fish that are being caught. Every journey has a first step - and taking that first step takes courage. The problem that this Government has is that corruption is endemic and ingrained in society. That is not to say I feel sorry for the government: when you take on power you take on responsibility that goes with the power. If we look at the totality of what has happened since the Military takeover then the changes can be seen to be more significant than when viewed in isolation.

A significant reduction in corruption (it will never be eliminated in any society) would constitute a revolution - revolutions come with their own dangers. However the benefits of a revolution of this type (societal attitude change to corruption and the rule of law) the benefits to society and the economy makes the risks worthwhile as long as the Thai people remain vigilant.

It's a small step in the right direction, now put on the Doc Martins and stomp.

Only the smallest tip of a very big iceberg.

Sure, and in its self of little significance.

What this, along with some of the other recent events in Thailand does is to start people to question the status que. What needs to change is a attitude that has evolved over a number of generations and resulted in a total disregard for the law or what should be social norms. We have the everyone else is doing it so why shouldn't I. Individuals and organisations have operated with the knowledge that others are doing this so I can not be challenged..

I don't know why this contractor did what he did and it does not really matter. What is occurring is that individuals are starting to feel empowered to speak up against curuption. The empowerment of individuals and groups to speak up, and what they say be acted upon is one of the changes that are required if Thailand is ever to become a real democracy.

Some TVF posts constantly complain that not enough is being done or that it is only the small fish that are being caught. Every journey has a first step - and taking that first step takes courage. The problem that this Government has is that corruption is endemic and ingrained in society. That is not to say I feel sorry for the government: when you take on power you take on responsibility that goes with the power. If we look at the totality of what has happened since the Military takeover then the changes can be seen to be more significant than when viewed in isolation.

A significant reduction in corruption (it will never be eliminated in any society) would constitute a revolution - revolutions come with their own dangers. However the benefits of a revolution of this type (societal attitude change to corruption and the rule of law) the benefits to society and the economy makes the risks worthwhile as long as the Thai people remain vigilant.

The flaw in your. argument, sadly, is that it never, ever gets beyond the first step. The same was said 25 years ago - it will still be said in the next 25 years. Like the dozen or so stories currently active, it is all just window dressing. A show. You said, "... as long as the Thai people remain vigilant." They are not vigilant ... never have been, never will be. The disincentives are too great and the people too cowed by forces far beyond their control. I can't even see the advent of the AEC making any kind of inroads into the culture of immorality in this country, it's that entrenched. Sorry mate, no revolution today.

Lets not get to carried away with progress , as soon as the place sorts itself out and we have un appointed Senators and Prime Ministers , in thirty years time corruption and pinning the tail on the donkey will still make the headlines every now and then.

Only the smallest tip of a very big iceberg.

Yes it is, but remember it was only the smallest tip of a very big riceberg that recently caused a government's demise.

Caught red handed........................they were only 100 baht notes.

I love it.

More of that, please, dear government.

The turning point against corruption and kickbacks is not far away.

As every post you write cherish the government maybe you can ask them what they will do with all the red wine bottles staying at the immigration pier ? more than 1000 bottles, some of them worth more than 3.000 euro and of course no tax stamp, for army use only...

If you believe the army is not corrupted, you should watch closer

I love it.

More of that, please, dear government.

The turning point against corruption and kickbacks is not far away.

As every post you write cherish the government maybe you can ask them what they will do with all the red wine bottles staying at the immigration pier ? more than 1000 bottles, some of them worth more than 3.000 euro and of course no tax stamp, for army use only...

If you believe the army is not corrupted, you should watch closer

why dont you report it and get back to us then as you know whats going on over here..i await with baited breath..

"... Dechawut demanded the kickbacks worth 5 per cent"

5%.? That's a real deal.

Rookie.

"Dechawut Senya, 34,...denied the charge, arguing he received a gift not meant for a return benefit."

I love it.

More of that, please, dear government.

The turning point against corruption and kickbacks is not far away.

Yes.

More of this.

In an effort to instill confidence in the Thai populace,

Let's start with investigating the head of the "government", the Chief of Police, (hand-picked by the head of the "government")

And the head of the Army.

Then, there may be turning point.

Being impartial and all, would you not agree?

Clearly they should all be pursued with vigour. However, dealing with the small stuff and ignoring the robber barons is not going to help Thailand much.

You got that right mate.

I love it.

More of that, please, dear government.

The turning point against corruption and kickbacks is not far away.

Yes.

More of this.

In an effort to instill confidence in the Thai populace,

Let's start with investigating the head of the "government", the Chief of Police, (hand-picked by the head of the "government")

And the head of the Army.

Then, there may be turning point.

Being impartial and all, would you not agree?

Which begs the question. Were you happy with the last chief of police, the last Prime Minister or the last government? Speak up, give us your reasons.

anyone else find this story quite funny - can you just see the guys face as they burst in the door

That's not my wallet it's his -

Or - diving out the window as he tries to empty his wallet leaving a trail of 1k notes

Or - it's my birthday

Hilarious but unfortunately the Anti Graft Buster Squad would need to have more manpower than the Police Army Navy and Airforce put together to have any real impact on Graft in Thailand - stiff penalties for those caught and convicted would be a start and the addition of a fast track special court system that only deals with Graft cases

I love it.

More of that, please, dear government.

The turning point against corruption and kickbacks is not far away.

Yes.

More of this.

In an effort to instill confidence in the Thai populace,

Let's start with investigating the head of the "government", the Chief of Police, (hand-picked by the head of the "government")

And the head of the Army.

Then, there may be turning point.

Being impartial and all, would you not agree?

Which begs the question. Were you happy with the last chief of police, the last Prime Minister or the last government? Speak up, give us your reasons.

This should be good...........................

there are no bribes in thailand, only gifts

and loans, they are also considered gifts

I love it.

More of that, please, dear government.

The turning point against corruption and kickbacks is not far away.

The turning point against corruption and kickbacks is not far away.

Finally I learned why you left Greece

Whooo Hoo! 29K. What about the thousands of millionaires created by rampant corruption over the past 10 or 20 years!

29,400 Baht, if i read correctly, wonder what the 400 Baht was for, a gift to the temple,''forgive me my corruption''

there are no bribes in thailand, only gifts

and loans, they are also considered gifts

No,that's only in Greece

"arguing he received a gift not meant for a return benefit."

​In the land of saving face and never admitting a mistake the excuses always entertain.

Whooo Hoo! 29K. What about the thousands of millionaires created by rampant corruption over the past 10 or 20 years!

29,400 Baht, if i read correctly, wonder what the 400 Baht was for, a gift to the temple,''forgive me my corruption''

No soalbundy! Your corruption is far more serious. If you really want to be forgiven of sin... then we need you to agree to pay three million baht to have your name written in roof tiles on the roof of our Wat.

Please tell me what makes this startling news

Has it never happened here before Sorry that should read never stopped