Police are urgently expanding the investigation into the bribes of trucks, vowing to investigate to the big bosses in the Highways Department. The technician who was arrested has been released on bail. Meanwhile, the Land Transport Federation revealed that there are still around 20 stickers of influential people that have not been investigated.
Progress in the case of the Central Investigation Bureau, together with the Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Anti-Corruption Commission, launching an operation to break up a network of government officials demanding ‘truck bribes’, using a warrant from the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct, Region 3, to arrest Mr. Noppadol, the head of the Ubon Ratchathani Weighing Station, outbound, Department of Highways, and also the head of the Spot Check task force, which is responsible for investigating and arresting overweight trucks traveling on the highway, Mr. Anek, the head of the Khun Thot Weighing Station, inbound, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Mr. Thongc
hai Phian, who acted as a cover for collecting bribes.
On charges of being an official who neglected his duties in a corrupt manner, being a government official who jointly performed or neglected his duties inappropriately, and supporting an official who performed or neglected his duties inappropriately, along with searching 11 target areas nationwide in the provinces of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chaiyaphum, Phetchabun, Nakhon Pathom, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok.
Today (4 September), Pol. Lt. Col. Charoonkiat Pankaew, deputy commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, revealed that from the investigation of the financial trail linked to the mule accounts and truck operators, it was found that there were transfers from truck operators in the Northeast to the mule accounts and linked to Mr. Noppadol, no less than 5 million baht per month. Checking back for the past 4 years, it was found that the money circulated was approximately 200 million baht. Currently, the investigation is in the process of ex
panding to find out if there are still people involved in the gang or who are in a higher position than Mr. Noppadol. Since the damage is so large, the investigation guideline will require the NACC officers to help expand the investigation, especially the group of people in high positions at the Highways Department. They must trace the financial trail to see who is connected and who is behind the truck bribe collection gang.
3 suspects granted bail – prohibited from leaving the country
The three suspects who were detained since yesterday (September 3) were granted bail during the investigation, with a bail of 300,000 baht each, with the condition that they not leave the country and must come to every appointment with the authorities.
The Transport Federation reiterates its stance against all forms of bribery.
Mr. Thongyu Kongkhan, President of the Land Transport Federation of Thailand, revealed that this arrest was a joint effort between the Land Transport Federation of Thailand and government agencies to
jointly solve the bribery problem systematically. The Federation would like to oppose all forms of bribery until they are gone. However, it must be admitted that the bribery system still exists and has been in place for a long time. It is a theory of mutual benefit, with both the giver and the receiver benefiting. Therefore, it is difficult to suppress, but it must be done. In the past, there have been campaigns against overloading, such as pickup trucks must not carry more than 2.2 tons, 4-wheel vehicles must not carry more than 5.5 tons, 6-wheel vehicles must not carry more than 15 tons, 10-wheel vehicles must not carry more than 25 tons, and 18-wheel trailers must not carry more than 50 tons plus 500 kilograms, etc.
Revealed that there are still 20 more stickers of influential people paying bribes.
The president of the Land Transport Federation also stated that even though the authorities are strict, there are still about 20 stickers of influential people scattered around the country. The owners of these
stickers pay bribes to government agencies. Personally, I think that solving the bribe problem must start with the large state contractors first because if they overload the roads, they will be damaged. It will cost tens of billions of baht per year to repair them. It will also cause accidents.
Source: Thai News Agency