Anti-Corruption Agency Charges Ex-Official Over Family Company Contract

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has filed corruption charges against Piear Sae Lee, former administrator of Nong Waeng Subdistrict Administration Organization in Thepa District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, and associates. The investigation revealed that in February 2016, the subdistrict council approved spending 455,000 baht from accumulated reserves for a road construction project. Piear, as administrator, then approved using a price negotiation method and instructed procurement staff to propose potential contractors—24 companies were nominated, but she personally filtered the list down to just six, ensuring L and M Theparak Construction was included.

Three companies eventually submitted bids. Theparak Yingcharoen Partnership offered 456,000 baht (1,000 baht above budget), L and M Theparak Construction offered 454,000 baht (1,000 baht below budget), and Chuay Seerm Construction offered exactly 455,000 baht. Procurement staff recommended the lowest bidder—L and M Theparak Construction—and Piear approved the selection. The company signed the contract on March 31, 2016.

Investigators discovered the partnership was owned by Piear and her husband Somchai, with their daughter-in-law later added as managing partner. However, Piear's personal phone number appeared as the company contact, she personally submitted the company's social security contributions, and the office address was her agricultural business location, which displayed signage reading "Piear" and employed workers wearing shirts identifying them as "Uncle Somchai, Auntie Piear." Somchai personally supervised the project. During payment processing, Piear approved wage disbursements, instructed the subdistrict office chief to deposit checks into the company's account, and then had 440,000 baht withdrawn in cash and delivered to her.