Former Director of Education Division in Yasothon Province Sentenced to 105 Years in Prison for Using Government Vehicle for Golf
จากไชต์: Office of The National Anti - Corruption Commission (ONACC)
จำนวนผู้เข้าชม: 170
Former Director of Education Division in Yasothon Province Sentenced to 105 Years in Prison for Using Government Vehicle for Golf
The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 3 has sentenced the former Director of the Education Division of the Yasothon Provincial Administrative Organization to 105 years in prison for unauthorized use of a government vehicle for golf. Those who approved the vehicle use were also implicated.
Adul Wandee, the Director of the National Anti-Corruption Commission of Thailand (NACC) office in Yasothon Province, disclosed details about the case. The NACC found Rungrak Lukbua, the former Director of the Division of Education Religious and Culture of the Yasothon Provincial Administrative Organization, and associates guilty of misuse of a government vehicle for personal benefits, including commuting to and from work, as well as using the vehicle for golf. After the NACC had passed their resolution, the matter was forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecution. The defendants were then charged in the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 3.
On August 24, 2023, the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 3 rendered its verdict, finding the defendants guilty. The list of defendants includes Rungrak Lukbua, the first defendant, who held the position of the Director of the Division of Education Religious and Culture ; Sathiraporn Naksuk, the second defendant, who held the position of Governor of the Yasothon Provincial Administrative Organization; and Pongsiri Muenchat, the third defendant, who held the position of Deputy Governor of the Yasothon Provincial Administrative Organization and acted as the Governor in his absence.
The misconduct occurred from July 2014 to June 2015, during which the first defendant prepared applications for central vehicle usage and submitted them to the second defendant, the Governor of Yasothon Provincial Administrative Organization. Similarly, from July 2015 to March 2016, applications for central vehicle usage were prepared by the first defendant and submitted to the third defendant, who was acting as the Governor. The defendant sought permission to park and store vehicle registration number Kor Khor 7127 Yasothon at his residence at 11 Moo 3, Sai Mun Sub-district, Sai Mun District, Yasothon Province. The vehicle was exclusively used for commuting between the defendant's residence and the Yasothon Provincial Administrative Organization, and never parked at the latter. In addition, the vehicle was used for golfing at the 16th Infantry Division Golf Course, Bodindecha Camp.
The first defendant's conduct involved unauthorized use of a vehicle belonging to the Yasothon Provincial Administrative Organization for nearly 2 years for personal benefit. This is a serious violation. The second and third defendants, who approved the use of the government vehicle for the first defendant, were unaware of his use of the vehicle for personal matters. Therefore, they are not guilty of corruption or neglect of duty. However, their failure to monitor the use of the vehicle has resulted in unavoidable damage to public administration.
The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 3, therefore, sentenced the first defendant, Rungrak Lukbua, under the Criminal Code, Section 151 (previous version) and the 1999 Organic Act on Anti-Corruption, Section 123/1, to a total of 21 counts with the most severe penalty being imprisonment for each count for 5 years, totaling 105 years. Given the defendant's confession, which contributed to the trial, the sentence was reduced to 52 years and 6 months according to the Criminal Code, Section 78. However, the total imprisonment for the first defendant shall not exceed 50 years as per the Criminal Code, Section 91(3).
Meanwhile, the second defendant, Sathiraporn Naksuk, and the third defendant, Pongsiri Muenchat, were found guilty under the Criminal Code, Section 151 (previous version), and the 1999 Organic Act on Anti-Corruption as amended in 2011, Section 123/1. They were sentenced to 12 counts of imprisonment for 12 years and a fine of 240,000 baht, and 16 counts of imprisonment for 16 years and a fine of 320,000 baht, respectively. Both defendants confessed and were cooperative during the trial, which led to a halving of their sentences. Neither had a prior criminal record, and neither had used the vehicle in question. Therefore, both were given 2-year probation periods and must report to their probation officers every 4 months. They are also required to perform 36 hours of community service and pay the fines.
It is noted that the case is yet to conclude, and the defendants are entitled for appeal in the higher court.
Nonetheless, the Director of NACC Yasothon commented that this case serves as an important case study and lesson for local administrators, permanent government officials, and state employees in Yasothon Province. It stresses the importance of supervising the use of government vehicles by subordinates in accordance with the law and for official purposes only. Any use for personal benefit would be considered a conflict between personal and public interest, potentially resulting in legal action, as seen in this case. Supervisors are also jointly responsible.
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