49 centres for the destitutes and 4 cooperatives involved in cheating the poor

Four self-help cooperatives and 49 provincial centres for the protection of the destitute people have been found by anti-graft investigators to have cheated fund that should have gone to the poor and destitute people.

Lt-Col Kornthip Darote, secretary-general of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, disclosed today (Monday) that, so far, investors had found evidence of corruption at the centres for the destitute people in 49 provinces namely Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Bung Karn, Nong Khai, Surat Thani, Trat, Nan, Sra Keao, Udon Thani,, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Krabi, Trang, Roi-et, Yala, Phatthalung, Chumporn, Surin, Ang Thong, Phitsanuloke, Chaiyaphum, Buri Ram, Songkhla, Narathiwat, Maha Sarakham, Lamphun, Nakhon Ratchasima, Amnart Charoen, Yasothorn, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Phichit, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Muk Daharn, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Uthai Thani, Satun, Lop Buri, Nong Bua Lamphu, Si Sa Ket, Kamphaeng Phet, Phang-nga, Sakhon Nakhon and Chanthaburi.

Huay Luang and Chiang Pin self-help cooperatives in Udon Thani, Ubonrat self-help cooperative in Khon Kaen and Southern Development cooperative were also found to be tainted with corruption.

Lt-Col Kornthip said he expected the masterminds of the plunder of fund meant for the destitute people to be exposed at the end of this month.