CHIANG RAI – On Thursday, Mr. Saroj Phuengramphan, Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), revealed that they were investigating two major unusual wealth cases of former head district administrators in Chiang Rai and Lampang.

In the first case, Mr. Saroj explained that the NACC authorized a preliminary committee to investigate Mr. Winai Kruangchai, who formerly led the Hua Ngom Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Phan District, Chiang Rai province.

There were allegations he had unexplained wealth totalling 616,000 baht. The investigation showed that from 2012 to 2021, while serving as mayor, Mr. Winai received 22 bank transfers, totalling 616,000 baht, from Supi Charoensap Limited Partnership—a company that had contracts with his subdistrict office. No legal grounds were provided for these transfers.

The NACC Board concluded Mr. Winai possessed or gained an unusual amount of wealth through his position and could not present a valid explanation for its source. The matter will be sent to the Attorney-General to petition the court to confiscate the assets in question for the state.

The official responsible for his post will also be asked to remove him within 60 days of notification, following Section 122 (first and fifth paragraphs) of the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption B.E. 2561.

If authorities cannot seize all or some of these assets, further court action will be pursued to confiscate other property owned by Mr. Winai within ten years, according to Section 125 of the same act.

NACC Asset Seizure in Lampang

Mr. Saroj said the Second case involves a preliminary investigation into Mr. Kraiwit Panyachai, who previously served as the Mayor of the Mae Phrik Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Lampang province.

There were credible reasons to believe he was unusually wealthy, with assets totalling 12,644,010.54 baht. During 2011 to 2013, while holding this position, Mr. Kraiwit reportedly amassed assets that did not match his known income and was unable to detail their origins.

The findings show five suspicious transactions totalling this amount:

Deposits are made to his accounts, separate from his official salary.
- 3,387,101.94 baht deposited in his Siam Commercial Bank account
- 5,477,519 baht deposited in his Krungthai Bank account
Payments made for leasing vehicles, all under the name of his spouse:
- 2,155,000 baht for leasing a Komatsu hydraulic excavator (contract dated March 31, 2011)
- 1,230,447 baht for another Komatsu excavator (agreement dated June 29, 2012)
- 393,942.60 baht for leasing a Mitsubishi truck

After reviewing the evidence, the NACC Board ruled that Mr. Kraiwit acquired these assets in connection with his role, that they significantly exceeded what he could normally account for, and that he could not provide a lawful explanation for their source.

The committee will send the investigation report, supporting documents and evidence, and their opinion to the Attorney-General, asking the court to transfer the questionable assets to the state.

The NACC will also notify those in charge of his position to order his dismissal within 60 days, treating this as misconduct under the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption B.E. 2561, Section 122 (first and fifth paragraphs).

If it’s not possible to seize all the assets deemed unusual wealth, or only a part can be collected, the court will be asked to seize other assets belonging to the accused within ten years under Section 125 of the same law.