Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri has taken a decisive step to counter allegations of corruption after an audio clip implicating him in a local government corruption investigation surfaced. Mr. Tiwa Karnkrasang, a lawyer representing Deputy Prime Minister Songsak, filed a complaint at Thung Song Hong Police Station against individuals associated with the distribution of the audio clip, which has caused significant reputational damage.
According to Thai News Agency, the audio clip, disseminated through the "Bang Jack" Facebook page, alleged that Mr. Songsak was involved in a scheme where 1,500 job openings were available for a fee of 350,000 baht each, through close associates. In response, Mr. Tiwa filed a lawsuit against Ms. Som and Mr. Kit (pseudonyms), the purported owners of the voices in the clip, as well as those who shared the clip online. The charges include defamation by publication and violations of the Computer Crime Act for spreading false information.
Mr. Tiwa clarified that the audio clip was sent to Mr. Songsak in August 2015, but it did not mention his name at that time. He promptly referred the matter to various anti-corruption agencies for investigation. The audio clip is believed to have been released to disrupt a fair bidding process involving Srinakharinwirot University and Surin Rajabhat University, with the latter's lower bid being rejected in favor of the former due to its credibility.
The legal complaint aims to compel the investigating officers to summon the individuals involved, ensuring a thorough investigation to clear Mr. Songsak's name. Mr. Tiwa emphasized that if pursued diligently, the case could potentially implicate over ten thousand individuals, including those involved in bribery and exam-related misconduct.
Furthermore, Ms. Som and Mr. Kit, both residing in the northeastern region and former members of a working group under the Deputy Prime Minister, are expected to cooperate with the investigation. The police are currently assessing the complaint to determine whether the allegations warrant legal proceedings.