Pattani: The State Audit Office (SAO) has uncovered inappropriate installation of solar power poles by local administrative organizations (LAOs) in Pattani, leading to a financial loss exceeding 43 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Auditor General of Thailand, Mr. Montien Charoenphon, disclosed that the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) conducted an audit on a special subsidy allocation project under the strategic plan aimed at decentralizing power to local administrative organizations for the fiscal year 2025. This project involved the procurement of solar-powered LED streetlights under the Thai Innovation List for local administrative organizations in Pattani Province.
The investigation, which began following a complaint about the allocation of special subsidy funds, found non-compliance with criteria established by the Department of Local Administration (DLA) among several LAOs in Pattani. The allocation of funds was inconsistent with the intended objectives. The probe revealed that budget applications submitted under the "Tourism Development Project" were for areas that did not meet the DLA's criteria, such as lacking tourism potential, not being existing tourist attractions, or not being connected to designated tourist attractions. Furthermore, some LAOs placed power poles in unsuitable locations like small alleys and shaded rubber plantations, undermining the solar power system's efficiency and risking budget waste.
In response, relevant agencies in Pattani Province have been working on concrete solutions. Some projects have been canceled or revised, including a budget refund of over 43 million baht to the Department of Local Administration. This adjustment aims to realign the installation of light poles with engineering principles and improve local budget oversight. The outcomes of this investigation will guide similar efforts in other regions to strengthen local government budget oversight and ensure transparency.