Bangkok: The Anti-Corruption Police have apprehended a deputy district chief in Phuket following allegations of accepting bribes amounting to 900,000 baht to manipulate the results of local government recruitment exams in southern Thailand. The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Region 9 in Songkhla has granted him temporary bail, despite the police opposing it.
According to Thai News Agency, authorities arrested Mr. Rungruang, the Deputy Governor of Phuket, at his residence in Phuket town. He is accused of acting as a middleman, soliciting bribes from job applicants to secure their success in the civil service exams and subsequent appointments within the southern region. The investigation uncovered complaints from three volunteer security personnel who alleged they were coerced into paying 300,000 baht each to officials from the Department of Local Administration.
Following his arrest, Mr. Rungruang was taken to the Phuket Provincial Police Station for questioning. The interrogation, which included officials from the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), lasted approximately seven hours, with media access restricted during the proceedings. Subsequently, Mr. Rungruang was transported to Phuket City Police Station to document the police report before being taken to court in Songkhla Province.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Panngaeo led a team to personally interrogate Mr. Rungruang at the Songkhla City Police Station. The session lasted 30 minutes, although details of the investigation remain undisclosed as authorities expedite further inquiries. Concurrently, raids are being conducted in Songkhla and surrounding provinces as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 9 was petitioned to remand Mr. Rungruang, with officials opposing bail based on his alleged history of witness intimidation and previous involvement in corruption cases. Reports indicate that Mr. Rungruang's wife is preparing collateral to apply for bail.
Mr. Rungruang resumed his duties as Deputy Governor of Phuket Province after a period of reassignment to the Department of Provincial Administration, following accusations of accepting bribes from business operators in the Patong Beach area. During this reassignment, other officials from the Phuket Provincial Administration were also temporarily reassigned before returning to their original positions.