The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) found the father and uncle of Deputy Minister of Interior Worasit Liangprasert guilty of abusing the authority of the Satun Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) president by failing to terminate the contract for the construction of a tourist service center, which was delayed beyond the deadline, resulting in fines approaching 60 million baht. The contractor company is owned by the younger brother of the PAO president.
On 6 July 2026, Surapong Intarathaworn, Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), announced that the NACC committee resolved to find Samrit Liangprasert, President of the Satun Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO), and associates guilty of failing to terminate the contract for the tourist service center construction project in Khuan Don District, Satun Province, in fiscal year 2016, after the contractor delivered the work late. The investigation found that on 28 September 2016, Samrit, as PAO president, signed a contract with Kiatcharoenchai Construction Partnership to carry out the tourist service center construction project valued at 29.8 million baht. The contract started on 28 September 2016 and was to end on 22 December 2017, spanning 450 days. However, after signing, the contractor did not start work. The Satun PAO issued four reminders before the contract deadline. After the contract ended on 12 January 2018, the contractor had completed only 25.79% of the work. Although the PAO continuously urged the contractor to proceed, Samrit approved leniency in terminating the contract and allowed the contractor to submit revised work plans repeatedly. Yet, the contractor failed to meet each new deadline, accumulating fines of 58,106,100 baht. Despite this, Samrit allowed a six-year leniency period before contract termination. Finally, on 23 January 2024, the contractor submitted work delivery, and the inspection committee accepted the work. It was found that Somkiat Liangprasert, a partner in the contractor firm, is Samrit’s younger brother.
Surapong stated that the NACC committee concluded that Samrit’s actions constitute criminal offenses under Sections 151 and 157 of the Criminal Code and the 2018 Anti-Corruption Act. The committee also found Kiatcharoenchai Construction Partnership and Somkiat Liangprasert criminally liable as accomplices in supporting Samrit’s misconduct. The investigation report has been forwarded to the Attorney General for criminal prosecution in the competent court and to the authority responsible for appointment and removal to take action under the 2018 Anti-Corruption Act.
Reporters noted that Somkiat Liangprasert, a partner in Kiatcharoenchai Construction Partnership found guilty by the NACC, is the father of Worasit Liangprasert, Deputy Minister of Interior. Meanwhile, Samrit Liangprasert, Satun PAO president, is Worasit’s uncle.
