The question was put to NACC Phuket chief Suwat Saowarun after Cherng Talay OrBorTor chief Manoch Panchalad declared B800,000 in land brokerage income and B4.26 million from real-estate brokerage in his latest income and asset declaration.
Mr Suwat did not say whether such work was legal or illegal for a sitting OrBorTor chief.
“If it was done for extra income before, there was nothing wrong with it. But according to the principle, once he has taken the position and is still in the position, he should not continue,” he said.
Asked whether Mr Manoch’s declared brokerage income was considered suspicious or whether the NACC had opened an investigation into a possible conflict of interest or corruption, Mr Suwat said the agency would first check the money trail.
He said the NACC would examine who had transferred the money and whether the payments were linked to anyone requiring permission for land or real-estate-related matters.
However, he confirmed that no investigation into Mr Manoch had been opened.
Mr Suwat also said the NACC would check whether the income declared to the commission had also been reported to the Revenue Department.
A mismatch between the declarations could raise questions over whether false information had been submitted to one of the agencies, but the tax check does not answer the central question of whether a sitting OrBorTor chief is legally allowed to continue to receive income from land or real-estate dealings.
The NACC chief instead described such work as “not very appropriate” for an OrBorTor chief, whose responsibilities include decisions involving land, construction, real estate and law enforcement.
The NACC has not said that Mr Manoch, so far, has not been deemed to have committed any wrongdoing.
Under Thai law, officials must declare their own income and assets, as well as those of their spouses. The declarations for OrBorTor chiefs were due by June 30 and were subsequently published on the NACC’s website.
The following are the details released through the NACC’s asset-disclosure system:
Manoch Phanchalad – Cherng Talay OrBorTor
Income: B903,600 salary, B624,000 bonus, B240,000 from meeting allowances, B680,000 from house rentals, B800,000 from land brokerage and B4.26mn from real-estate brokerage
Assets: B18,653,349.68
Spouse’s Income: B790,000 from selling land and B440,000 from house rentals
Spouse’s Assets: B6,235,421.26
(Total annual income: B8,737,600; Total assets: B24,888,770.94)
Kueakiat Jitkuea – Koh Kaew OrBorTor
Income: B490,500 salary, B190,200 bonus and B2,000,000 from market rentals
Assets: B109,694,139
Spouse’s Income: B200,000 salary, B177,320 bonus and B884,211 from market rentals
Spouse’s Assets: B13,334,567
(Total annual income: B3,942,231; Total assets: B123,028,706)
Sittichai Chanthawat – Thepkrasattri OrBorTor
Income: B686,700 salary
Assets: B928,015
Spouse’s Income: No income
Spouse’s Assets: B560,397
(Total annual income: B686,700; Total assets: B1,488,412)
Sarawut Srisakukham – Mai Khao OrBorTor
Income: B680,000 salary, B2,010,000 from market rentals and B500,000 from land brokerage
Assets: B68,154,257.02
Spouse: Declared divorced
Mr Sarawut also reported that his child had assets of B81,844.66.
(Total annual income: B3,190,000; Total assets: B68,236,101.68)
Jaroon Kobkoy – Kamala OrBorTor
Income: B234,000 from farming and B200,000 from car rentals
Assets: B37,647.40
Spouse’s Income: B252,000 from house rentals and B530,000 from farming
Spouse’s Assets: B28,969,477.58
(Total annual income: B1,216,000; Total assets: B29,007,124.98)
Trin Panyawai – Sakhu OrBorTor
Income: B552,000 salary and B94,756.85 from house rentals
Assets: B43,746,500
Spouse’s Income: No income
Spouse’s Assets: B12,439,314.16
Mr Trin also reported that his child had assets of B18,429.64.
(Total annual income: B646,756.85; Total assets: B56,204,243.80)
Mr Suwat urged the public to report suspected irregularities in officials’ declarations — including cases where an official appears to possess wealth or live a lifestyle inconsistent with the income and assets officially reported.
“I would appreciate it if anyone would reach out to us reporting the abnormality. Even if it is a lot or a little, NACC Phuket is ready to receive the complaint,” he said.
“We also want officials working to be transparent. Everyone can report details, or if doubts are found in any official or any agency, they can report the information,” he added.