The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has resolved to set up a sub-committee to probe alleged corruption at protection center for the destitute in 16 more provinces, bringing the number of the centers under investigation to 33.
The 16 provinces are Pattani, Satun, Songkhla, Chumphon, Phuket, Ranong, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Phitsanulok, Pichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Chanthaburi, Saraburi, Lop Buri, Samut Songkram and Si Sa Ket.
PACC secretary-general Lt Col Korntip Daroj said the corruption practice involved the budget of about 503 million baht allocated for the destitute.
So far, a total of 158 civil servants and civilians and three senior officials at the Social Development and Human Security Ministry were found to be involved with the massive corruption of the welfare fund, he said.
He said the PACC is expected to wrap up the case by the end of this month.
A PACC source said the agency had sent a letter to director-general of the Department of Social Development and Welfare to transfer directors of the protection center for the destitute in four provinces, including Trang, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, and Buri Ram, out of the provinces after finding that the four meddled with the evidence.