Bangkok: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has found Ratchada Suriyakul Na Ayutthaya, former Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and his associates guilty of corruption, extortion, and financial misconduct involving mangrove reforestation projects in the Chumphon Archipelago National Park.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Surapong Intharathaworn, Deputy Secretary-General of the NACC, acting as Secretary-General, announced the resolution to indict Mr. Ratchada and his associates. They are accused of soliciting bribes from subordinates to prevent their transfers or promotions, and engaging in corrupt practices related to the procurement of mangrove forest maintenance work for the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning Region 4 (Surat Thani) in 2022.
This development follows Mr. Ratchada’s arrest on December 27, 2022, with 98,000 baht in cash seized from the Anti-Corruption Division. A subsequent search of his office uncovered an additional 4,843,300 baht in cash. The NACC has seized these assets and filed a complaint against Mr. Ratchada for allegedly soliciting bribes to avoid transfers and for collecting monthly payments from various budget categories of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.
The NACC’s investigation revealed that Mr. Ratchada and Mr. Alongkorn Setthachue, Director of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning Region 4, demanded 600,000 baht from Mr. Suwannao Saensuk, Chief of Mu Ko Chumphon National Park, to avoid a transfer. Mr. Suwannao complied with the demand.
Additionally, the investigation uncovered corruption in the procurement of mangrove forest maintenance by the Protected Area Administration Office 4 (Surat Thani) in fiscal year 2022. This involved the procurement of 161,700 mangrove saplings and associated contracts, which were fraudulently managed and awarded to relatives of subordinates and other non-professional entities. The disbursement of wages and purchasing costs from this project was linked to joint corruption profits shared among involved parties.
The NACC’s findings indicate that the actions of Mr. Ratchada and Mr. Alongkorn Setthachue in demanding money from subordinates constitute criminal and serious disciplinary offenses. Similarly, Mr. Suwannao Saensuk’s role in procurement corruption is categorized as a criminal offense and a serious disciplinary breach.
The procurement inspection committee and related officers also face charges under various sections of the Criminal Code and anti-corruption laws for their involvement. Mr. Jongrak Phupaiboon is accused of money laundering offenses, while individuals like Ms. Chanthana Rampayphat and Ms. Ing-on Saengkaew, along with Romkongkang Limited Partnership, face charges for supporting government officials in criminal activities.
The case has been referred to the Attorney General for criminal prosecution, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is tasked with pursuing compensation for damages.