NACC Region 8 presented a report covering seven provinces, announcing extensive prosecutions and prison sentences of local politicians and officials. They expressed concern over the nearly 10-year-long investigation of the “solar streetlight poles” case, which remains unresolved. They plan to address the case handler, setting a deadline to submit the case file within fiscal year 2026/27.
On 22 Jan 2026 GMT+7, reporters noted that on 21 Jan, at the CLP Center meeting room, Nakhon Si Thammarat Municipality, Mr. Suchart Kruaykitanon, Deputy Secretary-General of NACC Region 8, led directors from the NACC offices across seven upper southern provinces—Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, and Nakhon Si Thammarat—in presenting results of their anti-corruption efforts. Each province revealed key cases, such as in Krabi, where the Regional Administrative Court sentenced 12 officials from the Department of Lands, Department of Provincial Administration, and others involved in corruption related to land title deeds issuance in Ao Nang subdistrict.
Additionally, prosecutions have been pursued against officials including management from the Medium Irrigation Construction Office No. 15 in Surat Thani, teachers in Ranong, local administrators, and officials in local administrative organizations within Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chumphon, among others.
There was also questioning regarding the investigation into corruption in the procurement of solar streetlight poles in Nakhon Si Thammarat, a case attracting significant public attention involving nearly 200 million baht in 2019. The Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Office’s installations quickly deteriorated and became unusable shortly after deployment. Moreover, many local administrations refused to accept asset transfers across much of the province. For example, over 100 poles on Sirinakhon Road were stolen, as on several other roads. Although the case has been under investigation for almost 10 years, authorities have yet to successfully prosecute anyone involved.
When asked about the NACC’s credibility and whether case delays might be a tactic to protect accused individuals, Mr. Suchart Kruaykitanon, Deputy Secretary-General of NACC Region 8, explained that the solar streetlight issue is part of the innovation account. The case involved locked specifications and favored contractors, making it very complex. The current focus is on the primary source: who is responsible and how. Handling the case solely within the local area is recognized as inappropriate given the time elapsed. Investigations are now coordinated with the Department of Special Investigation, which has deeper insights, aiming to connect the case to individuals beyond the local level.
“I have spoken with the case handler. If they do not expedite completion, the case owner will face penalties first. Although this is a significant case, there must be a clear timeframe. The case handler must submit a plan for the next period. I believe it should not extend beyond the end of this fiscal year. At the very least, by the start of fiscal year 2026/27, the case file must be ready,” stated the Deputy Secretary-General of NACC Region 8.