Mayor of Samnak Thong Subdistrict Arrested for Corruption Charges.

Rayong: Central Investigation Bureau Police, in collaboration with the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, conducted a successful operation to arrest Mr. Surin, the mayor of Samnak Thong Subdistrict Administrative Organization, for allegedly extorting money from a road construction contractor. The mayor has denied the charges, questioning the logic of confessing to something he claims he did not do. According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Phumiwisan Kasemsukh, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), and Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoenkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, led the operation at the Samnak Thong Subdistrict Administrative Organization office in Rayong Province. The arrest was made following a complaint by a contractor involved in bidding for a road construction project on Khao Makok Road. The contractor alleged that the mayor demanded a 13% cut of the project cost, which amounted to 100,434 baht, and later negotiated to receive 100,000 baht in cash. This prompted the contractor to file a complaint with the PACC. During the arrest, authorities also detained Mr. Surin's son and searched their vehicle, discovering two guns, 31 rounds of ammunition, 90,000 baht in cash, and several bank books. The suspect and evidence were taken for further examination and questioning at Samnak Thong Police Station. Although Mr. Surin initially denied the accusations, officers presented an audio clip as evidence, which he confirmed to be his voice. Pol. Col. Charoonkiat detailed that the arrest resulted from an extensive evidence-gathering process leading to an arrest warrant. Officers, posing as the victim, attempted to hand over the money at the mayor's office, where the mayor's men conducted a cautious search of the individual. However, with sufficient evidence at hand, the officers revealed their identities and proceeded with the arrest. The investigation also uncovered that the mayor was allegedly directing business owners to purchase construction materials f rom a relative's shop and that further evidence is being compiled for another pending case. Additionally, there are concerns regarding pollution and odor from a rubber scrap factory in Village 1, Tambon Samnak Thong, which will require further inspection. The mayor faces four major charges, including improperly demanding or receiving benefits to influence official actions, causing damage through corrupt practices, and carrying a firearm without a license. The case has been reported, and legal proceedings are underway.