The mayor of Chonnabot district in Khon Kaen is embroiled in a corruption controversy. Khunanon Hinthao, once highly regarded, was arrested over allegations of orchestrating a 30% kickback totaling 300,000 baht in two CCTV installation projects valued at nearly 1 million baht. His residence, cleverly masked as a coffee shop, served as a facade for these covert transactions. The arrest was made by a joint operation involving the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD), National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC). Khunanon was reportedly caught in the act, accepting a substantial bribe of 300,000 baht.
Officials from ACD, accompanied by NACC and PACC representatives, descended on Khunanon’s coffee shop residence on December 15, effecting the arrest after the mayor allegedly solicited and received a 30% kickback from a contractor involved in two high-value CCTV installation projects, totaling 970,000 baht.
Police Colonel Thanatchon Kengsakikit, heading ACD’s sub-division 3, provided details of the arrest, stating that the team patiently waited for the contractor to discreetly deliver the cash before swiftly intervening and apprehending the disgraced official.
The mayor, facing charges under Sections 149 and 157 of the Criminal Code, vehemently denies any wrongdoing and pledges to provide a statement at a later time. Despite incriminating evidence, Khunanon asserts innocence and vows to mount a robust defense in the forthcoming legal proceedings. Allegedly, he demanded a 30% bribe amounting to 300,000 baht for two wireless CCTV projects, each valued at 485,000 baht.
