The National Police Office has dismissed seven police officers involved in corruption related to the Phatthalung Police Cooperative, resulting in financial damages exceeding 1 billion baht.
On October 8, 2024, it was reported that on September 27, following an order from Pol. Gen. Thanayut Wutijjarastharamrong, acting for the National Police Commissioner, a punishment order (No. 478/2024) was issued for the dismissal of the following officers:
1. Pol. Col. Chanat Khongchoo (retired as of October 1, 2021, previously Investigator, Legal and Case Department, Police Region 9)
2. Pol. Lt. Col. Kritipat, from the Police Security Command
3. Pol. Sgt. 1st Class Thanawet, from Police Region 9
4. Candidate Pol. Sgt. 1st Class Arucha, from Ko Kha Chang Police Station, Phatthalung
5. Pol. Lt. Panya, from Phatthalung City Police Station
6. Pol. Sgt. 1st Class Chuntakrit, from Phatthalung City Police Station
7. Police Officer Sutthas, from Police Region 9
The allegations involve severe disciplinary violations as per orders (No. 47/2566) dated January 20, 2024, and (No. 132/2566) dated February 17, 2024, stating that the officers acted inappropriately to benefit themselves or others, contrary to National Police Act provisions, specifically Article 79 (1).
The officers, who were part of the board managing the Phatthalung Police Cooperative between 1999 and February 28, 2021, collaborated with Ms. Supha, the cooperative manager, to improperly issue checks from the bank without appropriate validation, violating cooperative regulations. This allowed unauthorized individuals to cash checks, leading to significant financial losses for the cooperative.
In particular, Pol. Col. Chanat Khongchoo, during his tenure as the president of the cooperative from 2005 to 2007 and again from 2017 to 2019, oversaw the improper issuance of checks totaling 81,825,527.61 baht, further exacerbating the financial damage.
This article was rewritten from a Thairath’s news article.
