Bangkok: Provincial Police Region 1 arrested a former political party leader for embezzling 17.6 million baht in subsidy funds. He fled to Laos before being cornered and arrested.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol Prembut, Commander of Provincial Police Region 1, along with Pol. Maj. Gen. Naradet Thiprak, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 1, Pol. Maj. Gen. Worachat Saenkam, Commander of Provincial Police Region 1, Pol. Maj. Gen. Thammanun Chaowawanit, Commander of Saraburi Provincial Police, and officers from Phra Phutthabat Police Station, Nong Khai Provincial Immigration Bureau, and Nong Khai Provincial Election Commission, jointly arrested Mr. Phirawit, age 47, a suspect under an arrest warrant.
The incident began in 2019 when Mr. Phirawit, then a party leader, accepted approximately 17.6 million baht in political party subsidies for development purposes without providing proof of disbursement. Following this, the Election Commission filed a complaint against Mr. Phirawit and the party treasurer. Both suspects surrendered to investigators at Phra Phutthabat Police Station but postponed their testimony and proof of disbursement and later fled.
As a result, police issued an arrest warrant for "being the leader of a political party, leading or allowing others to use political party funds or assets for personal gain or the benefit of others," making Mr. Phirawit a suspect under the warrant issued by the Saraburi Provincial Court. Investigations revealed that he had fled to Laos, prompting Pol. Maj. Gen. Worachat to coordinate with Lao immigration officers. The investigation confirmed the suspect's presence in Vientiane, Laos, leading to his arrest and extradition to Thailand.
During questioning, Mr. Phirawit admitted to the crime and stated that he fled to Laos to conduct personal business. He was subsequently taken to Phra Phutthabat Police Station for further legal proceedings.