The permanent secretary for the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security Ministry (SDHSM) was involved in irregularities in the spending of state funds for the destitute, according to Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkeo, labour minister and former minister of social development and human security.
Without naming him, Pol Gen Adul referred to Puttipat Lertchaowasit and his deputy, Narong Kongkam, who last Friday were transferred to work at the Prime Minister's Office to clear the way for the investigation. During his time at the SDHSM, Pol Gen Adul said he had ordered a probe in this case. In August last year, petitions were lodged with the Office of the Auditor-General of Thailand (OAG) on irregularities in budget spending on the underprivileged.
The probe found the allegation had grounds and some executives were found involved, insisted Pol Gen Adul. Asked which level of executives were involved, Pol Gen Adul said it reached as high as the permanent secretary. He said that after leaving the SDHSM, the incumbent minister pursued the case further. "There is nothing to be worried about since the government attaches importance to the issue," said Pol Gen Adul, stressing those involved in graft must be dealt with.
The scandal came into public attention this month after Panida Yotpanya, 22, a social science student at Maha Sarakham University, and her three friends working as interns at the Khon Kaen Protection for the Destitute, lodged a complaint with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
Under the SDHSM's supervision, the centre handles the budget for the underprivileged and HIV patients. They claimed they had been ordered by the centre director Phuangphayom Chitkhom and other senior officials to fill in forms and sign receipts for 2,000 villagers, worth nearly 7 million baht.
The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC)'s initial probe found there were sufficient grounds for an investigation. The agency is widening the probe to other welfare centres across the country. The PACC's initial probe found that among 37 provincial welfare centres across the country, 14 were found to have irregular budget spending, said PACC assistant secretary-general Pol Lt Col Wannop, the commission's assistant secretary-general.
These are the Surat Thani centre, which was given a budget of 10.5 million baht; the Chiang Mai centre, 8.5 million baht; the Udon Thani centre, 7.3 million baht; the Khon Kaen centre, 6.9 million baht; the Saraburi centre, 2.5 million baht; the Nong Khai centre, 1.5 million baht; and the Bung Kan centre, 1.5 million baht. Others are the Ayutthaya centre had 1.3 million baht; the Krabi centre 1.2 million baht; the Trang centre 1.2 million baht; the Nan centre 1 million baht; the Trat centre 920,000 baht; the Roi Et centre 700,000 baht; and the Sa Kaeo centre, 630,000 baht.
