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Former Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-gnob, accused over Freedom beach

Officials Named in Phuket Allegations

Monday, June 1, 2015
PHUKET: Present and past governors, vice governors, mayors and land officials have been accused of corruptly falsifying property titles on Phuket in the most sweeping allegations so far by the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Brief summaries of allegations, naming some accused but not naming others, were released over the weekend. The NACC statement added that 84 similar issues were still under investigation.

Some of the accusations are new. Others relate to investigations already made public.

One present municipal mayor on Phuket last night denied the charges. Others who have been accused are also expected to challenge the allegations.

.. Former Governor of Phuket Wichai Praisa-ngob and a former director of the Phuket Land Titles Department are accused of allegedly asking 120 million baht to launch a chanote property title for land fronting Phuket's Freedom beach.

.. The pair are also accused of allegedly seeking 30 million baht to launch a title on Coconut Island, off Phuket's east coast, and other breaches involving the island's Nakkerd Hills and Sirinath National Park.

.. Somsak Iemthaisong, a deputy in the Land Titles Department, and his team, are accused of allegedly launching chanotes in Sirinath National Park.

.. Veerawat Janpen, a former Vice Governor of Phuket, is accused with 15 others of allegedly launching illegal chanotes for Three Dolphins Resort and Three Dolphins Ltd.

.. An unnamed vice governor of Phuket and five people are accused of allegedly launching an illegal chanote.

.. An unnamed vice governor of Phuket and 12 people are accused of allegedly launching an expanding or flying chanote at Kamala Hills.

.. A Land Titles officer at Kathu and five people are accused of allegedly launching a chanote title for former Phuket vice governor Niwit Aroonrat in the Kamala hills.

.. Bitoon Lertkai, of the Phuket Land Titles Office, with 12 people, is accused of allegedly launching a chanote title than was applied to a different location.

.. An unnamed land officer, with 11 people, is accused of allegedly launching a chanote title to Andaman Private Beach Ltd within Sirinath National Park.

.. Land Titles Office Phuket is accused of allegedly launching a chanote for Evergreen International Hotel Phuket that blocked a public road.

.. Land Titles Office Phuket is accused of allegedly launching a chanote for Wangvisa Sangsi in the Nakkerd Hills, Karon.

.. A chief of Kathu District, with nine people, is accused of allegedly issuing a fake sorkor one title that became a chanote on the Patong-Kamala coast road.

.. Aroon Soroj, Mayor of Rawai, is accused of allegedly giving permission for construction at Ewa Beach, an area of Phuket for coastal conservation.

.. Aroon Soroj, Mayor of Rawai, is accused of allegedly approving construction of a pier in Rawai knowing that the fee was larger than necessary, paying 3.7 million baht over real requirements.

.. Ma-Ann Samran, Mayor of Cherng Talay, with his team, accused of allegedly asking bribes over a Bang Tao canal project with a budget of 1.8 million baht.

.. A Mayor of Kamala, accused of allegedly giving building permission to Big C supercentre without checking the blueprint or the area.

.. Wuttipong Promtavee, senior officer at Chalong, accused of allegedly asking for two percent from individuals when staff were issued with a 3.5 million baht bonus.

The Mayor of Cherng Talay, Ma-Ann Samran, said last night he was not guilty of the allegations. It's expected most if not all of those named will reject the claims.

Comments

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When I hear that someone goes to gaol and not spends years in endless appeals ending in suspended sentences, then, I will believe this is not window-dressing.

Posted by Sir Burr on June 1, 2015 08:31

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An this is just the tip of the iceberg!

But as we know.... accusing and charging someone with a little influence or money is one part of the work! Convict them and put them in to jail almost never happens.

Posted by Mr. K on June 1, 2015 08:48

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NCPO should deal with those rogue civil servants with harsh punishments such as long term jail, heavy fines and stripped of their pension.

Posted by Whistle-Blower on June 1, 2015 09:47

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Interesting times indeed... Let's hope legal cases are brought against all alleged and they are proved (or otherwise) fairly in a Thai court.

Posted by Duncan on June 1, 2015 11:17

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Good looks like the armies plan is working bit more effective than damrong the demolisher

Posted by Michael on June 1, 2015 11:22

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These cases will be tied up in court for decades unless the Army uses special powers to short track the prosecution of these people. I've posted about these people for years and feel vindicated everything I've said is now being made public. Nothing yet about the 'unofficial' rents being paid at Surin beach. They need to look into the collecting of VAT and taxes where millions are being skimmed monthly.

Posted by Arun Muruga on June 1, 2015 12:57

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From the number of those charged, the amount of evidence must be massive & the likelihood of at least some of the allegations being proven, greater. Now the long processes begin!

Posted by Anonymous on June 1, 2015 15:50

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As we experience that a very simple case of that Tiger disco fire ( bangla rd) already takes many years before it gets handled by a Court( with in between the change of prosecutor, to make things even intentionally more complicated), it will take many more years before all these Thai State Officials will show up in Court,.if they show up, because by that time there will be sure already a new 'democratic' Government.

Posted by Kurt on June 4, 2015 13:02

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corrupt land titles who ever would of thought & people of influence and status named as involved.

Posted by slickmelb on June 5, 2015 15:19

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It will be an interesting situation when the accused are in the same room with the alligators.

Posted by Sue Metoo on June 14, 2015 15:32

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A face saving way will be found to make all the charges disappear for the VIPs

Posted by Rico on June 14, 2015 16:43


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