The arrests were jointly announced by Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, Secretary General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and Royal Thai Police deputy chief Pol Lt Col Prasong Chalermphan at Patong Police Station yesterday evening (Aug 10).
Joining the press conference were Assistant the NACC Secretary-General Sornchai Chuwichian, Suksan Prasara-ae, Director of the Phuket Provincial branch of the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), and PACC Division 2 Director Thad Daoboonsai.
The officials arrested were named as Prasoot Jencharoenkit of Patong Municipality’s Tax Mapping and Property Registration Department and Pornsak Kam-iad, head of Patong Municipality’s Building Control Department.
An investigation was launched into the two officials after a complaint was filed two months ago, explained Mr Sornchai.
“As the investigation expanded, it was found that Prasoot was assigned by Pornsak to act as a ‘coordinator’ to collect money from the business owner to the amount of B300,000, claiming that was the cost of issuing a building use permit (Form Or. 5) for the amount of B250,000, and the architect/engineer fee for the amount of B50,000,” Mr Somchai said.
NACC officers then moved to set up a sting operation to arrest the two officials.
During discussions in setting up the sting operation it was found that the exchange could be at the Patong Municipality office, or if that was inconvenient for the business owner, Prasoot could meet the business owner at the establishment, Mr Somchai explained.
The latter was agreed, with Prasoot to come to collect the B250,000 in cash and the remaining B50,000 to be handed over the next day.
The investigating officers gathered evidence and obtained arrest warrants for the two issued by Phuket Provincial Court.
Later, Prasoot was arrested at a hotel restaurant in Patong when he brought the permit to change the use of the building to the business owner and to collect the B250,000.
Officers moved in to arrest Prasoot after he had received the cash.
Officers then moved to arrest Pornsak at Patong Municipality.
“The offenders were government officials who had abused their positions and authority in a wrongful and dishonest way by demanding bribes from such victims,” Mr Somchai said.
Prasoot and Pornsak so far have denied the charges against them, he said.
Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub