A government official in Thailand is facing serious accusations of collecting salary and bonuses for a decade without performing his duties. The case has reignited concerns over the persistent issue of corruption in the country’s public sector.
The official allegedly skipped work for 10 years
According to reports, the official held a position at the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department in Ang Thong province, central Thailand. A report by The Thaiger revealed that the official neglected his government responsibilities for nearly 10 years due to his involvement in a nighttime singing gig at a local nightclub.
Working late into the night, the official reportedly became too exhausted to attend to his day job. Despite his consistent absence, he was neither fired nor penalized and continued to receive his full salary and bonuses during this period.
Sources claim the official was occasionally summoned to the office for reprimands. At times, he was even asked to sign documents at the request of the mayor, seemingly as a way to avoid scrutiny. Despite his lack of attendance, no formal action was taken against him. The misconduct was brought to light by the Facebook page “Watchdog,” a popular platform with over 1.1 million followers dedicated to exposing government corruption.
Government response still pending
As of now, local authorities have not responded to the accusations, and it remains unclear what disciplinary actions, if any, will be taken against the official. Under Thai law, officials involved in corruption can face prison sentences ranging from one to 10 years, along with fines between 2,000 and 20,000 baht (approximately US$60 to US$600).
Public outrage and corruption concerns
The revelations have sparked outrage on social media, with many users expressing frustration over the apparent lack of accountability in the government. The case has once again highlighted the deep-rooted corruption within Thailand’s public sector. Thailand has struggled with corruption for years.
In the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International, the country scored just 35 out of 100, placing it 108th out of 180 countries. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges Thailand faces in addressing corruption within its government institutions, a problem that continues to undermine public trust in the country’s leadership.