NACC Buriram Reveals Anti-Corruption Operations for 2024
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Buriram Office summarized its anti-corruption efforts for 2024, highlighting three main missions: enforcement, asset verification, and corruption prevention. Twelve cases were resolved, with the NACC board finding most involved local politicians and provincial council members who submitted false asset declarations. One case has reached a final verdict, involving bribery for official appointments. The NACC emphasizes its continued efforts to prevent and suppress corruption to build a fair and transparent society.
Hiran Chaikanya, Director of the Buriram NACC Office, reported the commission’s operations for 2024. The office undertook three main missions: corruption suppression, asset and liability verification, and corruption prevention. In terms of corruption suppression, the NACC received 86 preliminary complaints, of which 45 have been resolved, leaving 41 still under investigation. Additionally, 86 cases were subject to preliminary inquiries, 12 of which have been completed, while 74 remain under investigation. Furthermore, 72 allegations were officially filed, 61 of which have been processed, leaving 11 still pending. Most of the complaints involve misconduct in procurement processes and malfeasance in office.
The NACC board has also launched investigations and found fault in 12 cases involving state officials accused of corruption and misconduct in public office. Most cases involve local government officials. One case has reached a final verdict, concerning the former chairman of Ban Yang Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Phutthaisong District. The individual was convicted of soliciting bribes for appointments in exchange for positions, resulting in criminal and severe disciplinary punishment. The court sentenced him to one year in prison and a 60,000-baht fine, but the penalty was reduced by half due to his confession. He now faces six months in prison and a 30,000-baht fine, with the prison sentence suspended for two years, as no appeals were filed, and the case is now final.
In addition, the NACC board has ruled on three cases involving deliberate false asset and liability declarations or concealment of essential information. These include the former chairman of Kaendong Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Kaendong District, who failed to declare his BAAC bank accounts after leaving office; the former deputy mayor of Phutthaisong Subdistrict Municipality, Phutthaisong District, who failed to declare 75 land plots; and a former Buriram Provincial Council member, who failed to declare investments in seven entities held in another person’s name. However, these rulings are not final, and the accused remain innocent until proven guilty by the court.
Regarding corruption prevention, the NACC Buriram Office continued its activities under the STRONG–Anti-Corruption Network, which included regular meetings, youth capacity-building programs, and activities for monitoring and reporting corruption. Anti-corruption awareness campaigns were also carried out, such as prevention projects targeting corruption in specific areas. These activities included meetings and discussions to draft plans for monitoring and preventing corruption in the region, as well as on-site inspections to detect and prevent corruption. Additionally, the office conducted the Integrity and Transparency Assessment (ITA) of government agencies. Buriram Province achieved a score of 90.19, classified as "good." Local agencies in Buriram with the highest ITA scores include Non Din Daeng Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Non Din Daeng District, which scored 98.67, and Krok Kaew Subdistrict Municipality in Non Suwan District, which scored 98.54, both considered excellent.
