Thai court confiscates 5.1m baht from official over unusual wealth

The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 3 ordered the confiscation of assets worth 5.1 million baht from a Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) official due to allegations of unusual wealth, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) announced yesterday.

The court’s ruling, which was handed down on March 28, directed the confiscation of funds in two accounts held by Sarot Sutthiwong, according to Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, NACC Secretary-General and spokesperson.

Niwatchai stated that the NACC had previously investigated Sarot’s alleged unusual wealth. After finding substantial evidence supporting the claims, the NACC referred the case to the Office of the Attorney-General, which subsequently forwarded it to the court with a request to seize his assets.

During the investigation, Sarot failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of his wealth. This discovery was made during the period when Sarot also served as the head of warehouses owned by TSTE Plc, from February 26, 2003, to March 12, 2004.

The NACC’s inquiry uncovered further evidence indicating Sarot’s dereliction of duty in his role inspecting rice stocks as part of the government’s contentious rice-pledging scheme, reported Bangkok Post.

“If the remaining funds in Sarot’s accounts are insufficient to meet the court’s confiscation order, legal authorities have 10 years from the ruling date to track down and seize other assets to enforce the court’s decision.”

In related news, in a significant blow to the NACC and its office, the Central Administrative Court has levied fines for concealing the results of its probe into former deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon’s infamous watch collection. Veera Somkwamkid, a prominent political activist, revealed the court’s ruling on May 9, slapping both entities with a fine of 5,000 baht each for non-compliance. Moreover, the court has demanded the disclosure of investigation outcomes to Veera within 15 days.

In other news, allegations of transnational bribery involving the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) have resurfaced, prompting responses from top officials. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai acknowledged the persistent issue, stating that bribery has long plagued the military.