NACC is expediting an investigation into the international bribery of an American tractor company that paid bribes to Thai government officials. They are currently coordinating with the Stock Exchange of Thailand to request details. If they are found guilty, both parties will be prosecuted. Mr. Nitiphan Prachuapmoh, as deputy spokesman of the NACC and deputy secretary-general of the NACC overseeing international cases, clarified the news that on September 10, 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had ordered Deere and Company, or John Deere, a major US tractor manufacturer, to pay approximately 10 million US dollars to end its investigation into allegations of violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The allegations state that during 2017-2020, Wirtgen (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary in Thailand, paid bribes to Thai government officials. The deputy spokesman of the NACC said that Mr. Niwatchai Kasem Mongkol, Secretary-General of the NACC, has assigned him to closely monitor the case because it is an important international bribery case with a large amount of damages and is of public interest. The International Litigation Center, Office of International Corruption Affairs and Cases, NACC is currently collecting information and coordinating with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, which is an action in accordance with the power and duty of the NACC as the central agency of Thailand to coordinate international cooperation in combating corruption, according to Section 138 of the Organic Act on the Prevention and Suppression of Corruption B.E. 2561. The US Securities and Exchange Commission has provided good cooperation to the NACC all along. If it is found that there was an offence of bribing a Thai government official as alleged, the private company that gave the bribe will be prosecuted for bribery under Section 176 of the 2018 Organic Act on Prevention and Suppression of Corruption, and the government official will be prosecuted for accepting a bribe under Section 173 of the said Organic Act. Source: Thai News Agency
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