Phuket Corruption Scandal: Deputy Mayor Thaworn Chirapattanasophon Sentenced to Prison

In the vibrant coastal paradise of Phuket, where the clear waters and sandy beaches invite tourists from around the globe, a storm of a different nature is making waves. A corruption scandal has emerged, casting shadows over the sunny disposition of this tropical island. The protagonist in this drama is Deputy Mayor Thaworn Chirapattanasophon, who now finds himself staring at the walls of a prison cell for the next four years. What was his crime? The downfall began with a mismanaged construction project involving the Bang Yai Canal—an endeavor that sounds grandiose but remains incomplete.

The controversy blossomed from an extension granted for this project without apparent rhyme or reason, causing what authorities describe as “significant state damage.” Not exactly an accolade for a tropical wonderland known for its hospitality and breathtaking vistas.

In an unfolding narrative that has captured both local and national authorities’ attention, the National Anti-Corruption Commission of Phuket (NACC Phuket) has stepped into the limelight. During a press conference held yesterday, on June 24, Suwat Saowaran, the Chief of NACC Phuket, played the part of the reluctant spokesperson. Instead, the reins were handed over to a more forthcoming Assistant Secretary-General Suchart Kruakitanon. It was he who confirmed the cold reality for Thaworn—four years of incarceration for corruption, a fate shared with four other officials. Among them, prominent figures like Phuket’s Chief Administrative Officer, Thawatchai Thongmang, and the Director of the Phuket City Municipality Engineering Department, Kriangsak Chuchatphong. While the air in the courtroom must be thick with anticipation, these individuals are pinning their hopes on appeals that question the initial guilty verdicts.

The core of the indictment lies in Sections 151 and 157 of the Criminal Code, which speak a language of misconduct and unlawful approval. As Suwat presented the findings, he painted a picture of a project begun but never fulfilled. Extensions were approved with the negligence of due process, leaving trails of bureaucratic mayhem in their wake.

What remains perplexing is the apparent delay in the publicizing of Thaworn’s sentencing. Notably, Suwat explained that NACC’s tradition dictates quarterly press conferences, focusing on significant cases. Therefore, even though the verdict was rendered in September 2022, it is only now that the gavel’s echo reaches the media’s ears due to its weight in the latest quarterly synopsis.

Yet, a twist remains—will Thaworn’s journey through the judicial labyrinth end with a glimmer of clemency? Thai courts, known for showing leniency to those who plead guilty, often consider reduced sentences or probation. Suwat, however, left the crowd awash in speculation, as he abstained from commenting on potential probation for Thaworn.

As the scandal ripples through Phuket’s governance, a question looms: could these legal upheavals kindle a more extensive purge of corruption within the city’s municipal framework? Such questions hang in the island air with the persistence of humidity, unanswered and universal.

While the streets of Patong remain bustling and the beaches unceasing in their allure, this scandal serves as a reminder of the administrative undercurrents shaping the island’s legacy. As the narrative unfolds, one might speculate whether the tale of Thaworn Chirapattanasophon will stand as a catalyst for reform or simply a footnote in the long, storied history of this beloved island.