The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 1 has revoked the bail of Sorngchai Nokkamin, former chief executive of Racha Thewa Subdistrict Administrative Organization. It is believed he might tamper with evidence after being appointed as the personal spokesperson for the acting chief executive.
On 23 Sep 2026 GMT+7 at the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 1, the court heard the case number Or Thor 66/2569 concerning the previous bail order for Sorngchai Nokkamin, former chief executive of Racha Thewa SAO. The Attorney General had filed charges against Sorngchai as defendant number one along with 13 others in a corruption case involving the purchase of kinnaree sculpture electric poles with solar lamps by Racha Thewa SAO.
Today, defendant number one appeared in court. The court learned that Sorngchai had been granted temporary release while serving as chief executive of Racha Thewa SAO. After his term ended, he was re-elected to the position.
However, the Governor of Samut Prakan Province ordered his removal due to ongoing criminal proceedings. Subsequently, Apichat Nokkamin, defendant number 11, was elected to fill the vacancy but also had to suspend duties following court charges under the Anti-Corruption Act 2018, Sections 81(1) and 93(2). Currently, Jaturont Nokkamin, the deputy chief executive, serves as acting chief executive, with Sorngchai acting as his personal spokesperson.
On 13 Aug 2026, Sorngchai participated in the regular third session meeting of the Racha Thewa SAO council for the year 2026.
The issue is whether there are grounds to change the court's prior order granting temporary release to defendant number one.
At the evidence review stage, the prosecution submitted a witness list of 432 entries: 80 individual witnesses, 350 documentary witnesses, and 2 physical evidence items. Among these, at least 18 individual witnesses are related to the procurement plan, records, and documents for the kinnaree sculpture electric pole project of Racha Thewa SAO, which forms the basis of this case.
Defendant number one, who was responsible for administration and was the supervisor of SAO staff and employees at the time of the incident,
is well aware of the channels and existence of such evidence. Furthermore, he faces multiple corruption and misconduct charges.
Although the court charged defendant number one, he did not cease his duties by law until the Governor of Samut Prakan ordered his removal.
Nevertheless, defendant number one and/or Jaturont still arranged for him to attend SAO council meetings as personal spokesperson, as confirmed during the inquiry.
Even accepting Jaturont's claim that he recently became deputy chief executive and intended for defendant number one to advise on duties, and that defendant number one did not exercise power or interfere in council meetings, this role and conduct could significantly affect documentary and witness evidence.
There is reasonable belief that defendant number one may tamper with evidence, causing obstacles or damage to court proceedings under the Criminal Procedure Code Section 108/1(2),
and the Anti-Corruption Procedure Act 2016 Section 6, paragraph one.
Therefore, the court ordered revocation of Sorngchai Nokkamin’s bail and issued a detention warrant to hold him during trial. As defendant number one has used shared bail in several cases, the court did not order bail return.
Notably, defendant number one is under electronic monitoring (EM) to prevent flight per court order in case numbers Or Thor 72/2565 and Or Thor 81/2566. Upon detention in this case, officials will notify the presiding judge to consider removing the EM device.
It was reported that after the court’s order, defendant number one filed a motion for temporary release using the original bail with the lower court. The lower court ruled, “No reason to change the previous order; motion denied.”
According to reports, this case originated from
Special Case 54/2564 concerning complaints about procurement in the kinnaree sculpture electric pole project with solar-powered lamps (single-arm type) and installation by Racha Thewa SAO. It is believed the bidding entities are related or have shared interests.
The Department of Special Investigation worked with prosecutors from the Investigation Office to investigate and uncovered a corruption network in multiple kinnaree light pole projects. The case was forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Attorney General, who filed charges with the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 1.