Appeal Court Acquits Nipon Bunyamanee in Maintenance Truck Case
The Appeal Court overturned the lower court verdict, acquitting former Songkhla PAO chief Nipon Bunyamanee over a delayed 50-million-baht truck payment, citing official duties and no malicious intent.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- The Appeal Court overturned the lower court verdict to acquit former Songkhla PAO chief Nipon Bunyamanee.
- The case involved withholding payment for two multi-purpose maintenance trucks valued at over 50 million baht.
- The court ruled his actions were aimed at protecting state interests without any malicious intent to harm.
On August 18, 2026, the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases read the Appeal Court judgment in a lawsuit filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against Nipon Bunyamanee, former president of the Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organization (Songkhla PAO), under Section 157 of the Criminal Code for refusing to disburse over 50 million baht for two multi-purpose maintenance trucks to a contractor.
The Appeal Court reversed the court of first instance's ruling and dismissed the charges against Nipon, concluding that the evidence was insufficient to prove he had intentionally performed or omitted duties wrongfully to cause damage to the contractor.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The Appeal Court reasoned that Nipon's directive to inspect and test the two vehicles fell within his authority as the chief executive of the local government body, responsible for safeguarding state interests. Given that the procurement exceeded 50 million baht yet had only a single inspection certificate, there were justifiable grounds to verify the facts and ensure accuracy before proceeding further.
This case highlights the heavy compliance and fiduciary responsibilities local executives face when approving massive budgets, where stringent reviews are necessary to avoid legal liabilities amid procurement disputes or corruption allegations.
Furthermore, the court noted that no official disbursement warrant was ever submitted to Nipon according to Ministry of Interior regulations, as the logistics department only provided an internal memo regarding the vehicle checks. Without a formal warrant, he could not legally approve the payment. Expert testimony from the Comptroller General's Department also confirmed that local administrators possess the authority to order vehicle testing for public benefit and must pause disbursements during active procurement investigations.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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