A HIGH-RANKING official in Ayutthaya was caught red-handed pocketing almost 80,000 baht in cash made out to pay for religious ceremonies today (Sept. 7), TV Channel 7 and Naewna newspaper said,
Acting on a complaint filed against Mrs. Somsri (pseudonym), Mr. Poomwisan Kasemsuk, acting secretary-general of the Office of the Public Sector Anti-corruption Commission, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Pankaew, head of Counter-Corruption Division police, laid a plan to arrest her.
In a raid mounted together with a police team today the suspect was caught at the Provincial Cultural Office with 79,188 baht in her possession.
It was discovered that she had approved 80,000 baht for religious ceremonies but had instead ordered officials to work out fake disbursement documents with an operator brought in to sign that he had received this sum.
She was taken to Anti-Corruption Division police together with the stolen money for further legal action.
CAPTION:
Police arresting the senior official who was caught stealing public money. Photos: Naewna
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