The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), together with the Anti-Corruption Police Division and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, raided and arrested the chief of Nong Mee Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Rasi Salai district, Sisaket province, in his office. He is accused of demanding 30,000 baht from each of 28 contract employees in exchange for contract renewal consideration, totaling over 840,000 baht.
At 15:00 on 17 September 2026, at the NACC Sisaket provincial office in Mueang Sisaket district, Sisaket province, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pangkaew, Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Police, together with Mr. Sukit Luangsakolthai, Deputy Governor of Sisaket province; Pol Maj Gen Prasong Chalermpun, Commander of the Anti-Corruption Police Division; Mr. Chaiwat Thongkasem, Director of Investigation and Special Affairs Bureau of the NACC; and Mr. Nirandorn Sripakdee, Director of the NACC Sisaket provincial office, held a press conference on the arrest of Yotphan Srisai, chief of Nong Mee Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Rasi Salai district, Sisaket province, for demanding money in exchange for renewing contracts of hired staff.
This case began when the NACC office received a tip-off about money extortion from government officials under Nong Mee Subdistrict Administrative Organization for contract renewal consideration. Investigators conducted field inquiries and gathered evidence, discovering that in August 2026, Yotphan convened a meeting with 28 contract employees whose contracts were due to expire on 30 September 2026. He informed them about the performance evaluation for contract renewal and demanded 30,000 baht each from those wishing to renew, totaling over 840,000 baht.
Further information revealed that contract employees were pressured and urged to pay within a set time frame, with warnings that failure to pay could result in non-renewal of contracts, replacement by others, or even dissolution of some positions. This caused some employees to worry and agree to pay in hopes of securing contract renewal.
Subsequently, the NACC coordinated with the Anti-Corruption Police Division and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission to collect evidence and proceed legally, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Yotphan by the Criminal Court for Corruption Case Region 3, warrant no. J.68/2569 dated 16 September 2026, along with a search warrant no. K.1/2569 dated 16 September 2026 to search related premises. Officials from NACC, the Anti-Corruption Police Division, and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission jointly arrested Yotphan and searched his office, where cash evidence was found and seized.
Initially, Yotphan was charged under Criminal Code section 148 for abusing his official position to coerce or induce someone to give property or benefits to himself; section 149 for corruptly soliciting or accepting property or benefits to perform or omit an official act; and section 157 for misconduct or neglect of duty by an official, as well as offenses under the Anti-Corruption Act B.E. 2561 (2018) sections 172 and 173. After arrest, officials took Yotphan and the seized evidence to the Anti-Corruption Police Division for legal proceedings.
Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pangkaew, Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Police, stated that the suspect’s conduct was brazen, summoning subordinates to a group meeting to exploit and extort money for contract renewals, fully aware it was illegal. He showed a lack of humanity by exploiting employees who already earn low wages, causing hardship to those dependent on government agencies. The chief used unreasonable excuses, citing budget shortages. He urged victims to come forward to provide information to the police and NACC to bring such exploiters to justice. Victims need not fear oppressive superiors, as state officials are governed by laws and regulations, and wrongdoers will face consequences without exception.