OTEP's assets seized over corruption allegations

The assets and operation of the Office of the Welfare Promotion Commission for Teachers and Educational Personnel (OTEP), which is a partner of Billion Innovated Group Co Ltd, are being handled by the National Anti-Corruption Administration Centre as ordered by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, he added.

OTEP’s assets will be placed in the ministry’s security rooms and monitored on surveillance camera and security guards round the clock, Kamjorn said. 

Initial scrutiny showed that there were irregularities in a number of contracts between Billion and OTEP, including a Bt2.1-billion solar-cell project in Phetchaburi province.

OTEP, along with its business organisation (OTEP Business Organisation), and Teachers’ Council of Thailand (Khurusapa), are under fire as part of the government’s crusade against corruption. A large number of senior ministry officials and members of the three bodies’ boards have recently been transferred away pending investigation. 

Referring to Prayut’s order, Kamjorn said OTEP’s new board has been instructed to cancel all contracts with Billion. He also said that the anti-graft agency had looked into both parties’ previous deals and with the help of the Department of Special Investigation, the National Anti-Corruption Council and the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission will carry out further criminal investigations.