Massage parlour scandal sparks Thai Highways Department probe

The Thai Highways Department is scrambling to investigate claims that Wirtgen Thailand Ltd, a subsidiary of John Deere’s parent company, made improper payments to its officials and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The shocking allegations suggest that massage parlours, cash, and luxury trips were used to sweeten government deals.

Director-General Sarawut Songsivilai announced yesterday, September 11, that he has launched an internal probe.

“We’ve just been notified of the allegations and are committed to uncovering the truth.”

The bombshell comes after Reuters revealed that Deere & Company agreed to pay nearly US$10 million (336 million baht) to settle US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charges.

The SEC accused Deere’s Thai subsidiary of using commercial bribery tactics, including massage parlour services and improper gifts to win contracts. Alleged misconduct spanned from late 2017 through 2020, with cash, sham consulting fees, and trips disguised as factory visits being part of the sordid package.

In a stinging indictment, the SEC said the payments were in direct violation of Deere’s code of conduct, which prohibits offering anything to sway officials. The financial penalties include a hefty US$4.5 million civil fine, alongside the return of ill-gotten gains and interest.

The investigation also ties the bribes to two former transport ministers, Arkhom Termpittayapaisith and Saksayam Chidchob. The department has had three directors-general during the relevant period, with Sarawut being the latest in office, reported The Nation.

Wirtgen Thailand, founded in 1997 with 176 million baht in capital, allegedly turned bribery into business as usual—sparking what could become a far-reaching scandal.

In related news, a senior mechanic and the chief of a truck weigh station in Ayutthaya’s Wang Noi district has been arrested in a shocking corruption bust. Officers from the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, alongside Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officials, swooped in this morning, catching the suspect at his home near the station.