Thai official gets 52 years sentence for misuse of government vehicle

Rungrak Lookbua, the Director of the Department of Religious and Cultural Education under the Provincial Administration Organization of Yasothon, has been indicted by the Anti-Corruption Commission for misuse of a government vehicle for personal gain.

The Director, along with his team, was accused of using a government vehicle for commuting and golfing. The charges were brought by the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Anti-Corruption Cases, Zone 3.

Adul Wandee, the representative of the Anti-Corruption Commission in Yasothon, today revealed that the verdict was delivered on August 24. The verdict concluded that the accused had committed a crime by using a government vehicle for personal gain.

He had been using the said vehicle for commuting between his residence and the Provincial Administration Organization of Yasothon, never parking the vehicle at the latter. Additionally, the vehicle was also used for golfing at the Army Golf Course, Unit 16, Bodindecha Camp.

The court sentenced Rungrak Lookbua to a total of 105 years in prison, based on the charges brought against him. However, due to his confession, the court reduced his sentence by half, to 52 years and six months. But, considering the total charges, his sentence does not exceed 50 years, following the Criminal Code, Section 91(3).

The accused was serving as the Director of the Department of Religious and Cultural Education at the time of the incident.

Prison sentence

His co-accused, Sathiraphon Naksuk, served as the Mayor of the Provincial Administration Organization of Yasothon, and Phongsiri Mueanchat served as the Deputy Mayor. The incident occurred from July 2014 to June 2015 and July 2015 to March 2016, reported KhaoSod.

Both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were found guilty under the Criminal Code, Section 157, and the Organic Law on Anti-Corruption, B.E.2542 (A.D.1999), Section 123/1.

They were sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to report to the probation officers every four months throughout their probation period. They were also ordered to perform 36 hours of community service.

Adul Wandee warned that this case serves as a crucial lesson for local administrators, government officials, and state enterprises in Yasothon province. They must monitor the use of government vehicles by their subordinates to ensure compliance with regulations and laws and for official use only.

Personal gain by compromising public interest could lead to legal action as in this case. The administrators must also share the responsibility. The case is not yet concluded, and the accused have the right to appeal to higher courts to prove their innocence.

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