Minister Sakda claims office, phone were bugged

Sakda requested the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc) to send experts to examine his office where sensitive discussions with a college director about the investigation took place, and to check his mobile phone.

The Isoc team examined Sakda’s room, including his desk, and found some irregular drilled holes and detected voice tapping signals in the area, but no hard evidence. Isoc staff told Sakda to change his mobile phone number but Sakda said it was difficult as his number was known to many people and changing it would disrupt his communication with others.

Sakda told the media he was told by Isoc that voice tapping can now be done without planting a device, but through a signal projector placed elsewhere, such as below his office or in the ceiling. Staff reported that someone had twice climbed into the space above the ceiling. The tapping signal, said Sakda, was especially pronounced around his desk. 

A meticulous search was conducted but no tapping device was found.

New locks were installed in Sakda’s office door and he vowed to continue holding discussions in the room.

Sakda is requesting Education Minister Suchart Thadathamrong-vej to approve the appointment of more corruption investigation teams that would result in the ministry having 10 such groups. He said this would lead to more thorough checks as there are 400 vocational colleges and the corruption is allegedly extensive. 

He also asked the Education Minister to authorise a committee to investigate permanent secretary Sasithara Pichaicharnnaroeng, who was alleged to have been involved with some purchase irregularities prior to assuming the position.