UPDATE: Hotel Owner Squeezed: Former High Ranking Phuket Official Allegedly Demands 1M Baht to Fix Land Papers

Phuket –

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) today announced the arrest of Mr. Rungrueng, former Deputy Governor of Phuket Province, on charges of alleged bribery and misconduct under warrants issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, Region 9.

Our previous stories:

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 Department of Provincial Administration has ordered the immediate suspension of Phuket Provincial Administrative Chief Officer, Rungreung Thimabutr, following allegations of corruption linked to local government recruitment examinations.

Now for the update:

The press conference was led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Parnkaew, Deputy Commissioner of the CIB, alongside senior officers from the Anti-Corruption Division, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and the Department of Provincial Administration.

Authorities revealed that the case stemmed from a complaint filed by a hotel owner in Phuket through the provincial Damrongtham Center. The complainant alleged that the official demanded one million baht in exchange for assistance in resolving documentation related to land ownership rights (Sor Kor 1).

According to investigators, a third party posing as a provincial officer arranged a meeting between the hotel owner and the suspect. During the meeting, Mr. Rungrueng allegedly claimed he could resolve the land issue but insisted on a cash payment of one million baht. When the victim explained that cash was unavailable, the suspect provided a bank account number for a transfer the following day.

The funds were transferred as instructed, but no action was taken to address the land dispute. The victim then reported the matter to central authorities, leading to a coordinated investigation and the arrest of the former provincial deputy governor.

Officials stated that the case shows ongoing efforts to combat corruption within provincial administrations and protect citizens from exploitation by public servants. The suspect now faces charges of soliciting bribes, acting as an intermediary for corrupt payments, and abusing his position to improperly influence state officials. He has reportedly denied the charges so far.