The chief of Phichit provincial energy office was detained in front of Phichit provincial hall on Monday afternoon by officials of the Government Anti-Corruption Committee after he was caught receiving 10,000 baht bribe from an oil trader.
The arrest of Mr Injai Wongrattanasathien followed complaints to the Government Anti-Corruption Committee’s Office from several oil traders that they were made to pay extra fees from the suspect in exchange for a permit to unload oil from their oil trucks.
Graft-busting officials then staged a sting operation to ensnare the energy chief with the help of an oil trader. As money exchanged hands in front of the Provincial Hall Monday afternoon, the waiting officials made the arrest.
Injai however denied he accepted bribes from oil traders as alleged. He said the 10,000 baht cash belong to him.
Mr Chatri Thongsaree, assistant secretary-general of GACC’s Region 6, said some officials thought it was normal for them to demand fees from the traders because if they don’t grant the permit, the traders would not be able to unload their cargo.
(Source:-Thai PBS)