Phuket Provincial Administrative Chief Officer Arrested in Alleged National Exam Bribery Case

PHUKET –

Thailand’s Anti-Corruption Police have arrested the Phuket Provincial Administrative Chief Officer, Mr. Rungreung Thimabutr, on allegations of soliciting bribes linked to local government recruitment exams. The arrest was carried out on June 26th, 2026, under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, Region 9.

Authorities allege that Mr. Rungreung acted as an intermediary, demanding 300,000 baht each from three members of the Volunteer Defense Corps (Or Sor), totaling 900,000 baht. The money was purportedly intended for officials at the Department of Local Administration to secure favorable outcomes in recruitment exams. The incident reportedly occurred in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province.

The timing of the arrest has drawn public attention: just one day earlier, the Department of Provincial Administration had reinstated Mr. Rungreung to his post in Phuket after a month-long reassignment to the department’s headquarters. Officials stated that the internal inquiry into his conduct during that reassignment had been completed, allowing him to return to his provincial duties.

Mr. Rungreung had previously faced scrutiny for allegedly assisting a major narcotics suspect known publicly as “Nam Ngern.” That controversy led to his temporary transfer to the Department of Provincial Administration before his reinstatement in Phuket.

Police stress that the case remains under investigation. Mr. Rungreung, like all accused, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.