In the charming province of Chumphon, a provincial administrative organisation officer finds himself in a spotlight he’d rather dodge. The drama unfolded when this officer turned a black Nissan Terra SUV—meant for government duties—into his personal chariot. As fate would have it, this play with privilege ended with the SUV embraced in a rather awkward, yet emphatic, tree hug.
The scene unraveled in Mueang district, Chumphon, following a jubilant birthday bash in honor of a local politician. The officer decided to skip the dance and instead do the tango with the road. Yet his dance partner, the SUV, didn’t quite keep up, leading to a collision with a steadfast tree in the Saphli subdistrict of Pathio district. The front of the SUV crumpled like a bad poker hand, and the right tires went out with a pop!
Miraculously, the daring driver managed to escape with minor injuries, but this incident left a giant question mark looming over his conduct. Interestingly enough, no police reports were scribbled that night. Instead, a tow truck snuck the battered vehicle away to a nearby repair shop on Asia 41 road within the Khun Krathing subdistrict, Mueang, Chumphon under the cloak of secrecy. The saga didn’t end there, as the vehicle later journeyed to another repair spot in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, far from prying eyes. Such stealth surely suggests more than just a casual blunder.
While the SUV nursed its wounds for over a month, whispers about repair costs exceeding 200,000 baht began to circulate. Rumor has it that a local political figure pitched in to ease the repair bill pinch. Once back on its wheels and somewhat revived, the SUV lingered near its workplace, the provincial administrative organisation office, albeit with a layer of dust suggesting undesirability. The insignia on its doors gleamed anew with fresh paint, yet its misadventures were far from forgotten.
The drama took a twist when sleuths uncovered a tinker in numbering swaps—the previously pristine rear number plate now adorned the front, while the battered front plate took an unenviable seat at the back. The plot thickened with the revelation that the vehicle, originally sporting high-end Bridgestone tires priced around 7,000 baht each, now rolled on affordably modest Chinese counterparts priced at just 3,000 baht per tire.
Despite its shiny comeback, the SUV now sits collecting dust, as whispers of hasty repairs using second-hand parts swirl, raising eyebrows over its fitness for duty. Meanwhile, in a closely related narrative from 2023, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) impressed with its watchful eye pursued criminal charges against two officials in similar vehicular follies within Chiang Rai and Sing Buri’s Phrom Buri district. Legal repercussions under the firm grasp of Sections 151 and 157 of the Criminal Proceedings Act loomed for these public servants who blurred the lines between personal and public gain.
As the tale in Chumphon closes (for now), residents continue to marvel how one night’s drive can weave such a tangled web of whispers and speculation. The once-bold SUV, despite decked out with new tires and a fresh coat, now stands as more of a cautionary tale than a mode of transport, reminding all that in the world of public service, the wheels of recklessness roll at one’s peril.
Unbelievable! This guy gets away with crashing a government vehicle and doesn’t face any charges? Just shows how corrupt the system is.
Corruption happens everywhere, Joe. Sadly, those in power often evade consequences. Where is the accountability?
Exactly, Claire. It’s frustrating to see our tax money wasted on such reckless behavior. Maybe if enough people speak up, things might change.
Maybe it’s just an innocent mistake blown out of proportion. Accidents happen, right?
An innocent mistake? With the stealthy repairs and number swaps? Sounds more like a cover-up to me.
I think this is just the tip of the iceberg regarding misuse of public assets. How many other incidents like this go unnoticed?
Well, at least the guy didn’t get hurt. Most stories like this end in tragedy.
True, Larry. But the issue isn’t just about safety; it’s about ethics and misuse of taxpayer money.
I get that, Maya. But I think focusing on safety can also bring important reforms.
Shady vehicle repairs make me question if taxpayers should fund these things. It seems like a misuse of funds to me.
What would happen if the regular guy tried this? Probably jail time. But hey, rules don’t apply to everyone, right?
I just can’t believe there’s no police report. How do they expect to sweep something like this under the rug?
There’s definitely more to this. If anyone else was involved in the cover-up, heads should roll. Corruption has no place in government!
Right, Anna. But you really think anything will change? This is how things have always worked, unfortunately.
Talking about this is important. Transparency is key to maintaining trust in our officials and making sure every penny counts.
Agreed, Ellen. If officials are reluctant to be transparent about an SUV crash, it makes you wonder what else is being hidden.
Why’s everyone making such a big fuss? It was just a drunken joyride gone wrong!
Pat, it’s not just about the act itself, but the aftermath and absence of accountability. This reflects a bigger issue within the system.
Yeah, Pat. It’s a ‘fuss’ because it’s another example of privilege protecting the powerful. Imagine if someone else had done it!
Applauding the journalists who unravel these stories! They’re so important in shedding light on these kinds of abuses.
I’m curious how the repair costs shot up to 200,000 baht. Public funds should have better oversight.
It does make you question what standards are being used to approve such expenditures.
If he used second-hand parts, where did the rest of the money go? The discrepancies in spending need to be investigated.
Good point, Maya. The numbers they report never add up, and that’s why we need independent audits.
The swapping of number plates seems like a deliberate act to mislead. Why isn’t there an investigation into this?
In agreeing with the need for oversight, it’s alarming how quickly officials seem to protect each other. We deserve better standards.
Similar cases have been prosecuted under Sections 151 and 157 elsewhere. Why isn’t this case being treated the same way?
How do we prevent things like this from happening again? Public programs should be in place to handle this misuse.
Absolutely, Vicky. Public forums and stricter regulations are needed to curb inefficiency and corruption.