Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said that the civil service subcommittee of the ministry had recommended the dismissal of Siripong Reeyakarnthirachote, a C9 level revenue official, after finding him guilty of gross violation of discipline for falsifying tax refund claim documents, resulting in losses to the state of B3,209 million.
Apart from Mr Siripong, Minister Sommai said that three other C-9 level officials and 14 lower-ranking officials were also involved in the scam and are under investigation.
Besides disciplinary actions, the minister said that the dismissed officials would face criminal and civil litigation. The case would be passed on to the Department of Special Investigation and the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further action.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will meanwhile investigate former secretary-general to the Office of the Welfare Promotion Commission for Teachers and Education Personnel (Otep), Somsak Tachai, over his alleged embezzlement of more than B2 billion from a national teachers' fund.
The NACC made the decision yesterday (May 14) after the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) forwarded the case to the graft watchdog early this month.
The DSI began investigating alleged corruption by education officials on the orders of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
According to the NACC, Mr Somsak authorised the purchase of promissory notes from Billion InNovatech Group Ltd for B2.1 billion, before approving another purchase for B400 million.
NACC member Vicha Mahakun said yesterday he would chair the probe panel, aided by commissioners Preecha Lertkamolnas and Supa Piyajitti.
Mr Vicha said the Otep secretary-general had rushed the purchase authorisation granting process and transferred the money to bank accounts owned by Billion Innovatech Group Ltd before the promissory notes were verified.
Investigations showed there was no verification process for the B2.1 billion in promissory notes, he added.
Despite this, Mr Somsak authorised a new B400 million purchase soon after.
"There are over 700,000 Thai teachers placing their money in this teachers' fund and they are suffering from this," Mr Vicha said.
"I believe Otep is involved in many other corruption scandals, but this is the biggest," he added.
He said there have been complaints of money vanishing from the teachers' fund.
The NACC had earlier found Otep invested money in a solar-fuelled power plant project in Phetchaburi province, deemed an "unworthy investment" by NACC chairman Panthep Klanarongran.
According to the NACC, B1 billion worth of Croatian kuna currency was found in the safes of two former Otep executives.
A media report alleged that Mr Somsak owned one of the safes.
He was abruptly transferred with dozens of other education officials by Gen Prayut last month.