Mukdahan's Leading Figure Faces Allegations of Requesting Bribes
In a shocking turn of events, the permanent secretary of Mukdahan Provincial Administrative Organisation, Watikorn Songyoswatana, has been detained by police following allegations of bribery.
The detainment, carried out by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Anti-Corruption Division officers, took place at the Mukdahan Provincial Administrative Organisation office on Friday. The charges against Watikorn include malicious use of power by a state official, coercion to procure assets, and malicious performance or dereliction of duty by a state official.
The saga began when a representative of a private construction company filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Division. The company had recently won a contract for seven road renovation projects, valued at over 12.77 million baht in total. The complaint alleges that Watikorn threatened to withhold approval of budget disbursements unless he received a payment.
According to the allegations, Watikorn proposed a 10% kickback, totaling approximately 700,000 baht. The contractor reportedly paid 500,000 baht in cash but refused to pay the remaining 200,000 baht when pressed. After being paid for two of the projects, it is said that the official stalled further transfers, citing incomplete work despite signing off on delivery.
Photos of the discovered evidence were taken by the Central Investigative Bureau. Police found evidence of cash transactions, including banknotes, at the Mukdahan Provincial Administrative Organisation office on Friday. Despite the evidence, Mr. Watikorn initially denied all charges. However, his private office was searched for additional evidence.
Notably, the available search results do not provide information about the leader of the private company that won the road renovation projects and filed the bribery charges against the arrested city official. CIB deputy commissioner Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew has personally taken over the case.
As the investigation continues, the public awaits further developments in this high-profile case. The detainment of Watikorn sends a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated in Thai politics.
