Anti-Corruption Agency Inspects Saraburi Gyms Over 880,000 Baht Treadmills
The NACC inspected fitness centers in Saraburi, raising concerns over high equipment costs and heavy long-term maintenance burdens for local municipalities.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- The NACC inspected two public health promotion centers in Saraburi province.
- Investigators found high-end equipment, notably treadmills priced at 880,000 baht each.
- Concerns were raised regarding soaring electricity and maintenance costs for local authorities.
- Muak Lek municipality has set aside a 200,000 baht annual repair budget and plans to install solar cells.
On August 13, 2026, Mr. Kiattisak Phutphan, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), led a press tour to inspect the public and elderly health promotion centers in Tambon Salaeng Phan, Wang Muong district, and Tambon Muak Lek, Saraburi province, as part of efforts to monitor high-budget projects and ensure fiscal responsibility.
According to local officials, the Salaeng Phan center serves an average of 40 to 50 visitors daily, mostly retired civil servants, while the Muak Lek facility welcomes around 100 people per day. Both indoor fitness buildings feature air conditioning and expensive exercise equipment procured by the Saraburi Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO), which also hired trainers, security guards, and janitors before handing the facilities over to local municipalities.
The sports equipment encompasses 30 distinct categories, including cardiovascular training machines such as three solid-belt treadmills and four regular belt treadmills priced at 880,000 baht each. Furthermore, elderly exercise equipment installations across 15 locations in Saraburi over three fiscal years totaled over 460,669,700 baht. This comprised 91,280,030 baht for 3 locations in fiscal year 2020, 269,399,777 baht for 9 locations in fiscal year 2021, and 99,989,900 baht for 3 locations in fiscal year 2025.
Mr. Kiattisak stated that while the equipment is modern, comprehensive, and senior-friendly, the NACC remains concerned about high maintenance liabilities and electricity costs once the facilities are transferred from the PAO to local municipalities. He emphasized that authorities will continue to monitor procurement irregularities in Saraburi and nearby areas with similar projects.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
This inspection highlights the recurring fiscal friction when provincial administrative bodies devolve high-value assets to smaller local municipalities. While state-of-the-art equipment benefits local residents and visiting athletes, the hidden operational costs—such as continuous air conditioning and specialized maintenance—can strain municipal budgets if robust financial planning and renewable energy solutions are absent.
Mrs. Pharada Danwong, Permanent Secretary of Muak Lek Municipality, explained that the center has been operating for five years since its establishment in 2021 by the Saraburi PAO, before being officially transferred in 2028. Operational costs average around 70,000 baht per month, covering trainers, utilities, and cleaning staff. The municipality has allocated an annual repair reserve of approximately 200,000 baht out of its 77 million baht annual operational budget, asserting that the high-standard facility serves both the general public and national athletes training in the district.
"We focus on utility because we have the Muak Lek National Sports Center here, and national athletes who come to train in this area also use the facilities, so we consider this equipment to be of high standard."
Mrs. Pharada Danwong
Source: Khaosod Politics
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