Energy official caught for allegedly taking bribes from oil traders

By Chalarntorn Yothasmutra

 

 

PHICHIT: -- The chief of Phichit provincial energy office was nabbed in front of Phichit provincial hall on Monday afternoon by officials of the Government Anti-Corruption Committee after he was caught receiving 10,000 baht bribe from an oil trader.

 

The arrest of Mr Injai Wongrattanasathien followed complaints to the Government Anti-Corruption Committee’s Office from several oil traders that they were made to pay extra fees from the suspect in exchange for a permit to unload oil from their oil trucks.

 

Graft-busting officials then staged a sting operation to ensnare the energy chief with the help of an oil trader.  As money exchanged hands in front of the Provincial Hall Monday afternoon, the waiting officials made the arrest.

 

Full story:  http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/energy-official-caught-allegedly-taking-bribes-oil-traders/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-08-29

Just now, webfact said:

"......after he was caught receiving 10,000 baht bribe from an oil trader".

This was not so much a case of accepting a bribe. It was more a case of extortion with the government official taking 10,000 baht he extorted. Just the normal low level shakedown by an official who was not prepared to share his payoff with those higher up the food chain.

Wouldn't it be funny if the acc had a long list of corrupt officials, everytime there is a scandal or heavy criticism of the government,

All the names of  corrupt officials go into a hat, the one drawn will create a good diversion whilst protecting all the other hundreds of corrupt officials.

but 10,000 baht whilst others are gleening millions.

Hilarious. ???

Every official demanding bribes that is taken down is good news. But for it to have any real impact, we need to be reading about dozens being arrested every day. Only when these corrupt officials see they can no longer act with impunity, are we likely to actually see any real change. This being Thailand, I sadly just don't see it happening.

I'm sure he was just receiving back a 10,000 loan he gave to the oil guy to help him and his family during these troubled times.

All a terrible misunderstanding .   Can't be true as 10,000 Baht is only enough for lunch for these sharks !

An official taking a bribe? Hell no, how could this happen? 

 

An exciting headline worth reading would be "Thai Official Caught Not Demanding A Bribe". Now that would be news worthy.