Speaking yesterday (Feb 24), Suwat Saowaran, Chief of the NACC Phuket Office, confirmed that although irregularities were identified in some cases, none met the threshold for criminal prosecution.
In the first case, Karun Sriden, former Mayor of Kamala, was accused of allowing construction of the Layi–Nakalay road in a protected forest area and permitting building works without authorisation from the Phuket branch of the Royal Forest Department.
Mr Suwat said the investigation found the road was located within a land agricultural reform area and that funding for the project had been provided by a contractor, not the Kamala Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor).
Regarding the building construction, he said officials issued an order suspending the work after becoming aware of the issue and proceeded under the Building Control Act.
“The NACC ruled that no criminal offence had been committed,” Mr Suwat said. However, disciplinary action was initiated under Section 64 of the 2018 Organic Act on Anti-Corruption.
He added that all relevant authorities must strictly prevent further construction or encroachment in forestry zones, stressing that no development is permitted without proper authorisation.
In a second case, Veera Kerdsirimongkol, former Thalang District Chief, and Panya Samphaorat, currently serving a second term as Mayor of Pa Khlok Municipality, were accused of allowing construction of the Pa Khlok Sufficiency Economy Centre on public land (NorSorLor 6068) without formally requesting a change or revocation of land status.
Mr Suwat said the project had been implemented under an urgent government policy allocating B5 million per subdistrict and was intended for public benefit.
“While proper land procedures were not completed, investigators found no criminal intent,” he said.
“The commission ruled there was no basis for criminal liability. However, the matter was forwarded to the relevant commanding officer for action under Section 64 of the 2018 Organic Act on Anti-Corruption,” he added.
In both the Kamala and Pa Khlok cases, Mr Suwat did not explain why the matters were referred to superior officers for consideration of disciplinary action if no criminal wrongdoing had been found.
BANG WAD WATER PUMPS
In a third case involving water pumps at Bang Wad Reservoir, five defendants were accused of corruption in the inspection and acceptance of water pumps, equipment and control cabinets under a project valued at B9,298,300.
Those accused were Thawatchai Thongmang, former Deputy Mayor of Phuket City Municipality and chairman of the procurement committee; procurement committee member Noppawut Sae-na; NP Trading Supply Co Ltd; and contractors Chuda Phiupueak and Piya Charoenlap.
Mr Suwat said the allegation centred on claims that the installation did not comply with contract specifications requiring .6/1 KV-CV 185 Sqmm cable.
“The contract did not state that the cable had to be copper or aluminium. The contractor installed copper cable for one circuit and aluminium cable for three circuits,” he explained.
“The NACC Phuket concluded that the materials used complied with the stated specifications and found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. The allegations were dismissed,” he added.
CAT RELOCATION PROJECTS
In the fourth case explained yesterday, three individuals were investigated over three site relocation projects carried out in 2019 for CAT Telecom Public Company Limited.
CAT Telecom was later merged with TOT to form national telecoms provider National Telecom Public Company Limited (NT).
The accused were Prasert Weeworn, Pongsak Suthadol and contractor Narongchai Inseechuen. Officials were alleged to have received payments of B8,000 and B4,000 from the contractor.
Mr Suwat said the work had been urgent, carried out to resolve internet network problems and performed outside official working hours.
“Investigators determined there was no fraudulent intent and ruled that there were no grounds for criminal liability,” he said.