NACC finds former Thai MP guilty in solar well project bribery
Thailand's NACC finds former MP Chatapat Techadechruangkul and six others guilty of corruption and ethical breaches over a fake solar water well project scam worth 1.09 million baht.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- NACC finds former MP Chatapat Techadechruangkul guilty of criminal and ethical offenses.
- The group faked a Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation solar well project.
- Three construction contractors were duped into paying 1,090,000 baht in advance deposits.
- A total of seven individuals were implicated in the official investigation report.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission of Thailand has formally announced its findings regarding allegations against former Member of Parliament Chatapat Techadechruangkul and several associates. The group was accused of orchestrating a bribery scheme targeting construction contractors by fraudulently promising to secure government contracts for solar-powered water well installations in exchange for upfront deposits.
According to the investigative findings concluded by the NACC panel, the scheme took place in 2020. Mr. Chatapat and his accomplices falsely claimed they could secure solar well projects from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Ministry of Interior, which were pending budgetary allocation at the time. They approached three separate construction companies, demanding kickbacks ranging between 25% and 30% of the total project value, alongside an immediate 1.5% cash advance deposit. The contractors ultimately paid a combined total of approximately 1,090,000 baht in cash, but the promised projects were never delivered.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Following a thorough review of the investigative dossier, the NACC board ruled that primary suspect Mr. Chatapat committed criminal offenses under Section 171 and Section 128, combined with Section 169 of the Organic Act on Counter Corruption B.E. 2561 (2018), along with Section 91 of the Criminal Code. Furthermore, his actions breached ethical standards for constitutional court judges and independent agency holders under clauses 8, 9, and 17, read alongside clause 27.
This case highlights the ongoing vulnerabilities surrounding public sector budgeting processes, where bad actors occasionally exploit political connections or leverage pending state initiatives to deceive private entities. The intervention and formal rulings by the NACC serve as an essential accountability mechanism, discouraging political figures from misusing their status or fabricating ties with high-ranking officials to extract financial gains from businesses.
Regarding the remaining six individuals implicated in the case—namely Ms. Prachwanli Itthisawat as the second suspect, alongside Thuantong Saneewong Na Ayutthaya, Watanapong Suankaew, Sombat Sakulchim, Phet Ngam, and Surapong Phuddhiwong—the NACC found them criminally liable for aiding and abetting the primary offenses under the anti-corruption law and Section 86 of the Thai Criminal Code.
Politically, Mr. Chatapat previously served as a party-list MP and leader of the Thai Phalang Thai Party, a minor political faction that joined the coalition government led by former Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha following the 2019 general election. He also previously made headlines for gifting a sacred lek lai mineral to Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan during his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister, a gesture that triggered an ethics inquiry over asset value limits exceeding 3,000 baht before the NACC ultimately dismissed that specific complaint.
Source: Matichon Politics
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