Six people and Charn Phuangphet were found guilty in 2011 of illegally purchasing flood-relief products.
PUBLISHED: 24 Oct 2024 at 19: 41
Charn Phuangphet, a seasoned Pathum Thani legislator, and six people have each received 7.5 years in prison for defrauding of funds through fraud.
In the Region 1 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct cases, a former long-time leader of the Pathum Thani provincial administrative organization ( PAO ) was handed down the sentence against Charn on Thursday.
He and his co-defendants were found guilty of corruption and misconduct in connection with their jobs in the 2011 procurement of about a million baht worth of flood-relief resources while Charn was the Pathum Thani PAO key.
They were originally given 10 times each, but the sentences were shortened as a result of their cooperation when the jury conducted the standing trial.
Before the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) began an investigation into his alleged misconduct, Charn served as the Pathum Thani PAO for four consecutive terms.
In March 2021, the NACC concluded its research and determined there were grounds to believe that the seven had, as suspected, engaged in wrongdoing. The situation was finally brought before court.
In 2011, when Bangkok and the surrounding regions were experiencing the worst storms in decades, misbehavior was committed, according to the NACC research.
Charn, who purportedly carried the Pheu Thai Party symbol, contested the vote for Pathum Thani PAO president on June 30 this year. He narrowly defeated Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit, who ran on the Khon Rak Pathum ( Love Pathum ) ticket.
Charn’s triumph was marred by claims that he had violated the election laws by organizing a feast to woo citizens prior to the election day in addition to the 2011 misconduct event, which was still being heard at the time.
After finding him guilty of violating the election law, the Election Commission (EC ) suspended Charn while awaiting a court ruling in the corruption case.
A fresh election was held on Sept 22 and won by Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit.