BANGKOK, Thailand: The dismissal of four Thai officials has made headlines after authorities uncovered over two billion baht (approximately $57 million) in their bank accounts, raising suspicions of corruption on an unprecedented scale.
The officials, three women and one man employed in the Revenue Department in Samut Prakhan province near Bangkok, have been ousted from their positions as investigations intensify.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has taken swift action, referring the case to the attorney-general’s office and urging the Criminal Court for Corruption to conduct a thorough investigation. The magnitude of the discovered funds has been described as “unusually wealthy” by Sornchai Chuwichian, the assistant secretary-general and deputy spokesperson of the NACC.
The NACC statement on Monday revealed that the listed assets of the officials, including their substantial bank deposits, did not align with their government incomes. Notably, none of the accused individuals could provide a satisfactory explanation for the origin of the substantial sums.
Among the dismissed officials, Danai Damrongchaiyothin stood out with a staggering 1.1 billion baht (around $31 million) spread across seven accounts. Another woman among the group held over 500 million baht (approximately $14 million) in five accounts. These amounts starkly contrast with the typical starting salary for a revenue official, which is less than $450 per month.
While the officials have been relieved of their government posts, the NACC statement did not specify whether charges have been filed or arrests made. The case sheds light on the pervasive issue of corruption in Thailand, with this instance standing out for the unusually large sums involved.
