Ex-rector pleads his innocence
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THE INDICTED ex-rector of King Mongkut Institute of Technology Ladkrabang has insisted he had nothing to do with the Bt1.5 billion embezzlement scandal at the institution ahead of the first pre-trial hearing today.
Speaking at a press conference at his home yesterday, Thawil Phuengma also said people called him ajarn (teacher), not boss, the term that two other suspects in the case, fugitive Kittisak Mattujad and Pada Buakhao, reportedly called the person behind this crime.
Thawil presented the details of his assets and debts, which he said he submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) before taking up KMITL’s top post.
They include 22 land title deeds worth Bt46.1 million and consisting of 13 plots in Bangkok’s Ladkrabang district, three plots in Kanchanaburi, three plots in Nonthaburi and one plot at three locations, Ratchaburi, Chacherngsao and Chonburi.
The assets also include the Bt12 million house, two apartments worth Bt20 million in total and four cars and a motorcycle worth Bt2 million in total.
He said he had submitted his asset details to the NACC two times after he left the KMITL – in November 2013 when his assets were worth Bt86 million and again in November 2014 when their worth was down by Bt200,000.
Thawil said he sold an 18-rai rice field (2.9 hectares) on Highway 345, obtained via family heritage, to fund a property purchase that yielded a hefty profit when he sold it.
He said he also purchased and collected gold ornaments, which he then re-sold for profit.
He also earned income from a security system business and an apartment renting business, while he worked as an executive at various agencies.
“I’m innocent and I didn’t embezzle money as charged,” he said, adding that if he were the embezzler he would live a more opulent lifestyle.
He said he had asked lawyer Songkran Atchariyasap, who chairs the Facebook network that rallies against acts perceived to harm the Kingdom, religion and the monarchy, to represent him in court.
He said Songkran had urged him to express his sincerity by performing a vow at Wat Phra Kaew, which he reportedly did last week, and opening his home to let the press see what he owns.
Thawil and his former assistant rector for finance, Sappasit Limnorarat, were among 14 individuals – 11 defendants plus three fugitives, Kittisak, Sompong Sahaporn-udomkarn and Tawatchai Yimcharoen – indicted by public prosecutor last week.
They are facing criminal charges that include theft, forgery of official documents, embezzlement, negligence of duty and money laundering.
