corruption
- Crime News
Police target Kamnan Nok mafia networks linked to extortion
The Royal Thai Police launched a scheme to dismantle the mafia networks, including the Kamnan Nok mafia recently accused of extorting bribes from overloaded trucks in Nakhon Pathom. The plan was announced by Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, Thailand’s Deputy Police Commissioner and one of the country’s most recognised law enforcement figures. The action is in response to a shocking string…
- Thailand News
Digital wallet initiative and anti-corruption boosted by Thai deputy PM
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, hosted a meeting with the governors of the country’s provinces. The discussion revolved around the ministry’s key objectives, including loyalty to the highest institution, the implementation of anti-corruption measures, and the support for Pheu Thai’s 10,000 baht digital wallet initiative. The meeting took place at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Lat…
- Thailand News
Cash crackdown: Thai government’s e-payment pledge to curb corruption
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed yesterday that the Thai government is set to implement e-payments across the state sector as a pivotal strategy to tackle the rampant issue of corruption. The announcement was made at an Anti-Corruption Day event organised by the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), which the prime minister chaired. This event marked Srettha’s first public forum since…
- Thailand News
Former Thai deputy speaker implicated in corruption scandal over educational project
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) declared yesterday that Charoen Jankomol, the previous first deputy House speaker, engaged in corrupt practices related to a parliamentary project’s misappropriation. The former Pheu Thai Party MP served from August 2, 2011, to December 9, 2013. The NACC’s investigation revealed that Charoen, along with six parliamentary officials, were indicted for corruption in the administration of…
- Thailand News
Crash and corkage: DDPM offical’s drink driving wreck raises glass and eyebrows
A Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) employee was accused of being drunk and disorderly at the wheel after causing an accident while driving an official company car. Several broken bottles of wine were found inside the woman’s vehicle after the accident. The accusation against the woman, the assistant and acting director of Payao Provincial DDPM, was brought to…
- Thailand News
Chuwit urges Big Joke probe into Pheu Thai PM candidate’s tax scheme accusation
A former Thai politician urged the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Tha Police (RTP) to initiate an investigation into allegations levelled against the Pheu Thai Party’s prime ministerial candidate. After the Pheu Thai Party announced that they would propose Srettha Thavisin as their PM candidate, former politician and soapy king Chuwit Kamolvisit announced that he had evidence which could prove…
- Crime News
Thai tycoon Prayudh Mahagitsiri sentenced in 400 million baht land scandal
In a recent surge against corruption, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) confirmed the sentencing of Prayudh Mahagitsiri, a well-known tycoon, to two years and eight months imprisonment with the charge linked to an infamous land encroachment scandal. The judgement was passed by the Region 8, Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, who serves as the secretary-general of…
- Thailand News
Unholy exodus: Monks, novices, and altar boy expelled for unveiling corrupt abbot
Eight monks, along with novices and an altar boy were expelled from the Saeng Tham Khiri Monastery after they exposed the cloister’s corrupt abbot. As a result, they find themselves homeless, embarking on a directionless journey in Chachoengsao, located in south-central Thailand. Sympathetic locals residing in the Panom Sarakham district of Chachoengsao implored the Thai media to assist the Buddhist…
- Politics News
THAI scandal sees corruption charges dropped against ex-PM Thaksin
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has aborted all charges against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, and three others in the Thai Airways (THAI) corruption saga. The case involved allegations of corruption linked to the acquisition of 10 Airbus aircraft by Thai between 2003 and 2004. This was revealed by former deputy transport minister Pichet Sathirachawal, who was also accused…
- Thailand News
Harbour hubbub: Nakhon Phanom office sinks in sand scandal, draining Thai govt’s revenue
In one of its latest controversies, the Harbour Office at Nakhon Phanom is allegedly involved in illicit aid towards sand dredging business owners, causing significant revenue loss to the Thai government. A leaked conversation reportedly revealed that the Harbour director purportedly leveraged legal loopholes to aid the said business owners by contravening sand dredging regulations in the Mekong River. Reporters…
- Thailand News
RTN investigates alleged corruption in 440 million baht armoured vehicle deal
A thorough investigation has been initiated by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) after a social media page reported some alleged discrepancies in a recent purchase of armoured vehicles totalling over 440 million baht (US$12,480,000). The public announcement about the investigation came yesterday when Admiral Pokkrong Monthatphalin, the RTN spokesman, stated that the navy commander, Choengchai Chomchoengpaet, had ordered a probe…
- Thailand News
Unfinished 29 million baht tourist centre in Satun languishes after 6 years: Governor’s brother implicated
A tourist service centre worth 29 million baht in Khuan Don, Satun province, remains incomplete after six years, despite pledges to expedite construction. The contractor for the project is the younger brother of the local governor. On Facebook, the watchdog page “Operation Dog Guarding House” exposed the construction of a tourist service centre located in Khuan Don, Satun province. The…
- Thailand News
Krabi official caught demanding 100,000 baht fee for hotel license renewal
The Provincial Governor of Krabi removed the Permanent Secretary of the Mueang Krabi district from her position after she was accused of demanding 100,000 baht from a hotel in the province in exchange for an operating license. The Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) reported to news agencies that the commission received a complaint from the owner of a…
- Thailand News
12 highway police charged in 20-year truck sticker bribery scandal
TWELVE highway police officers have been charged with extortion and misconduct in connection with the truck sticker bribery scandal, according to Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Counter Corruption Division (CCD) commander and acting Highway Police Division Chief. He stated that additional charges would be revealed as the investigation expands. The identities of the 12 officers charged have not been disclosed,…
- Thailand News
Rice corruption: MFP probes suspicious 12.5 million baht event spending
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has initiated an inquiry into allegations of irregular expenditure related to an event organised by the Department of Rice. The party has warned that the incoming government will not tolerate rice corruption. During a press conference, MFP deputy spokesperson Karoonpon Tieansuwan revealed that the party had received a complaint from officials within the Ministry of…
- Thailand News
Ex-beauty queen’s rapid Thai police promotion sparks patronage investigation call
A former beauty pageant contestant’s rapid ascent through the ranks of the Thai police force has sparked concerns over potential patronage and corruption. The individual in question reportedly rose from police lance corporal to police captain in under two years, prompting calls for an investigation into the matter. A post on the “Phuen Tamruat” Facebook page highlighted the issue, stating…
- Thailand News
Ex-national parks chief’s complaint rejected in bribery scandal case
A bribery scandal involving a former director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation in Thailand took a new turn as the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases dismissed the complaint filed by the accused against the arresting police officers. Rutchada Suriyakul Na Ayutya accused members of the police Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) of malfeasance, fabricating…
- Thailand News
Easy pass stickers: Police accused of accepting bribes from overloaded trucks
A future Member of Parliament (MP) from the Move Forward Party (MFP), Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, has accused the Royal Thai Police (RTP) of accepting bribes and ignoring overloaded trucks. Wiroj claimed that these trucks, having allegedly paid bribes, are given special “easy pass stickers” that grant them exemption from police interference. Wiroj began posting about the corruption on his Facebook account…
- World News
Imran Khan faces anti-graft agency questioning over corruption charges
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan faced questioning by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on corruption charges yesterday, according to his lawyer Faisal Chaudhry. This comes less than a week after Khan refused a summons to appear and dismissed the allegations against him. The ex-cricket star, who has been in a confrontational relationship with the country’s powerful military, was arrested…
- Pattaya News
Thai voters accuse Election Commission of corruption and electoral interference
The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) has been accused of corruption and interfering in the electoral process by voters in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri. Thai voters in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri filed complaints against the EC after the number of votes exceeded the actual number of voters by nearly 5,000. The EC is responsible for overseeing…
- Thailand News
ACT report exposes a decade of corruption involving politicians in Thailand
The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) recently published a report detailing graft cases involving politicians over the past decade. The most significant financial loss, amounting to 130 billion baht, was caused by the rice-pledging scheme. The report studied 61 cases involving a total of 68 politicians, analysing media coverage, investigations by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and rulings by the Supreme…
- Pattaya News
Chinese man arrested in Chon Buri for overstaying and corruption
Immigration Bureau Division 3 officers arrested a Chinese man in Chon Buri for overstaying his visa by about 800 days and for evading corruption charges in China. The Immigration Bureau recently implemented strict measures to eliminate the influx of foreign criminals who use Thailand as a hiding place. On Wednesday, April 5, the officers in Chon Buri summoned a Chinese…
- Crime News
Crooked trail of corruption uncovered after cops arrest bent revenue director for soliciting bribes
Royal Thai Police (RTP) yesterday uncovered a crooked trail of corruption worth 7 million baht following the arrest of an alleged bent government revenue director. RTP officers arrested, Pramual Saengkaewsri, a director in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok on Wednesday in a hotel carpark as part of a police sting. The 57 year old was apprehended for soliciting bribes amounting to 3 million baht from a…
- Northern Thailand News
3 police in northeast Thailand arrested for taking bribe to free drug suspect
Three police officers in Thailand‘s northeast Kalasin province were arrested on charges of soliciting a bribe to free a drug suspect. The crooked cops were officers at Mueang Kalasin Police Station. Police launched a sting operation to bust the crooked cops after ‘A,’ the sister of the drug suspect, reported that the crooked cops had contacted her and demanded 500,000…
- Crime News
MP Rangsiman asks police to seize PM Prayut’s party HQ
The Ruam Thai Sang Chart political party headquarters is at the centre of a controversy with the Move Forward Party urging police to take action and seize the Bangkok building. Opponent Rangsiman Rome, a Move Forward Party MP, alleges a senator who owns the building is a money-laundering suspect. MP Rangsiman called on the police chief to follow standard legal…
- Crime News
Excise officials accused of extortion of elderly grocer
Five officials from the Thai Excise Department have been accused of extortion after allegedly demanding money from an elderly grocer. The woman asserts that the men planted evidence in order to shake her down, and says she’s got CCTV footage proving the extortion claims The men, who claimed to have found counterfeit cigarettes on the premises, demanded 20,000 baht from…
- Crime News
Thai cop resigns citing ‘protection of the guilty’
A Thai cop who said he was a sergeant in the central Suphan Buri province resigned from his job. His resignation letter is making waves on social media. In the letter, which a fellow police officer posted on Facebook on Saturday, the officer cites “protection of the guilty” as one of the reasons for the loss of morale among police.…
- Hot News
Failed Phuket construction projects trigger corruption investigation
A number of failed Phuket construction projects have triggered a corruption investigation after being called into question by the STRONG Anti-Corruption Thailand Club. The Phuket government information office has shared posts online by the group that detail projects that were meant to be completed years ago, despite millions of baht being spent on them. According to The Phuket News, one…
- Thailand Election News
Come home soon, Thaksin, and go to jail – ex-minister
An ex-Democrat minister and legal expert mocked Tuesday’s suggestion by fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra that he might come home soon. On Thursday, Nipit Intarasombat, an MP for Phatthalung, said Thaksin could fly anywhere in the world but if he touches down in Thailand, he’ll land in jail. Nipit Intarasombat said.. “Khun Thaksin is still a rich man who…
- World News
Vietnam’s National Assembly approves President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s resignation
Vietnam’s National Assembly is giving the green light for President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s resignation. The approval came late yesterday after Phuc stepped down as part of an anti-corruption clean-up. According to Bangkok Post, an extraordinary meeting saw 93% of National Assembly members voting to approve Phuc’s resignation. His abrupt departure comes as the country is experiencing significant political upheaval as…