30-8-2023 (BANGKOK) A female accountant working at the Legal Execution Department’s provincial office in Pattani has been convicted of embezzling a staggering 2.8 million baht, as confirmed by the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG).
The accountant, identified only by her first name, Chiranan, held the position of a Level 4 finance and accounting officer. She has now been sentenced to a 50-year prison term and ordered to return the ill-gotten funds to the provincial office, according to statements by OAG deputy spokesman Kosolwat Inthuchanyong.
The embezzlement unfolded over a period spanning 18 instances, occurring between March 18, 2004, and April 27, 2006. During this time, Chiranan manipulated the signature of Mahosot Ramrangsarit, the office director, who held the authority to authorize her requests for cashing cheques and depositing funds into the office’s accounts, Mr. Kosolwat explained.
Following the cheque encashment, however, she surreptitiously redirected the funds into her personal accounts and those of her associates, amassing a total of 2.8 million baht, he disclosed.
Despite her consistent claims of innocence, Chiranan had previously returned 561,078 baht. This means she still owes 2.24 million baht, Mr. Kosolwat added.
The case was adjudicated by the Region 9 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in Songkhla province earlier this month, according to Mr. Kosolwat.
