Bangkok: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), in collaboration with Tha Chatchai Police Station, has arrested a former police officer suspected of embezzling over 7 million baht from the Mae Hong Son Provincial Police budget. This arrest follows a warrant issued by the Mae Hong Son Provincial Court.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Surapong Intarathaworn, Secretary-General of the NACC, directed officers from the Investigation and Intelligence Operations Group 2, along with the NACC's Phuket Provincial Investigation Office, to investigate and locate the suspect. The warrant, replacing the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 5, was issued under No. 15/2569 on March 9, 2569. The accused, identified as Police Sergeant Major Apirak (surname withheld), faces multiple charges including malfeasance, forgery, misuse of official documents, and theft. The allegations stem from his time in the budget and finance department of the Mae Hong Son Provincial Police, where he allegedly created forged payment vouchers to unlawfully claim budget funds. The accused reportedly transferred the embezzled amount of 7,049,806.36 baht into his personal account over 12 transactions between June and July 2022.

The investigation revealed that the accused had fled and was residing in Phuket Province. Investigators from Investigation Division 2, in collaboration with other units, apprehended him at a residence in Thalang District, Phuket Province. After the arrest, he was taken to Tha Chatchai Police Station for processing and subsequently transferred to the Public Prosecutor's Office, Anti-Corruption Division, Region 5, to face legal proceedings.