Yongyuth calls for transparency in KMITL embezzlement probe
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THE embezzlement and theft of Bt1.49 billion from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Lat Krabang must be dealt with in a transparent and thorough manner so as to serve as the blueprint for future corruption investigations at educational facilities, De
THE embezzlement and theft of Bt1.49 billion from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Lat Krabang must be dealt with in a transparent and thorough manner so as to serve as the blueprint for future corruption investigations at educational facilities, Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Yutthawong said yesterday.
Yongyuth, who has been tasked with maintaining social order and mounting anti-corruption efforts, said that all state universities like KMITL and state universities that were now independent must answer to society's call for transparency and the removal of corruption.
When asked about the measures in place to combat corruption at state universities, Yongyuth said all institutions had their own anti-corruption mechanisms and underwent regular inspections by the Office of Auditor General of Thailand.
Some universities also had a Board of Good Governance, he said.
Pol Colonel Kornchai Khlaikhlueng said there were many people connected to the KMITL embezzlement case – apart from the four suspects that would soon be summoned – but they would only be prosecuted based on the evidence.
Five suspects are being detained and one suspect, Kittisak Matthujad, remained at large yesterday.
Kornchai said actress Sawika “Pinky” Chaidej had denied involvement in the theft, claiming that Kittisak registered her as the director of a company without her knowledge.
He said Kittisak paid the Bt1 million in registered capital to set up TV production company Kittisak Phoodis and Pinky.
Phoodis Janthima, an assistant television producer whose name was also used in the company’s title, told police that he did not know where Kittisak got his money.
Phoodis said he and Pinky were named as partners for the purpose of enhancing the profile of a company, which had planned to make dramas.
Pol Colonel Note Sawetlek said Janjira Sopradit and her mother, Sombat, who were arrested on Wednesday in relation to the scandal, had not given a creditable explanation as to how they had amassed Bt46 million in their bank accounts.
Officer Note said police doubted Janjira’s claim that Kittisak paid the money from his cock fighting profits at a Suphan Buri den owned by Janjira’s boyfriend, Pathomphong Sriroj.
