Anti-Corruption Body Charges Ex-Official In Golden Durian Fraud

The National Anti-Corruption Commission announced on July 2, 2026, that it has filed charges against Pol.Lt.Col. Rungroach Buddhiyawat, who served as acting director of the State Warehouse Organization, and associates for corruption in a golden durian procurement project designed to supply exporters. The alleged misconduct occurred in 2020 and caused financial losses to the state organization.

Investigations revealed that on August 14, 2020, the sales and distribution department of the State Warehouse Organization expanded its duties to include "procurement of goods with pre-arranged customers." Shortly after, on August 24, 2020, Company A requested that the organization purchase durians from three southern border provinces for export to Chinese buyers.

Pol.Lt.Col. Rungroach then signed invitation-for-bid documents for 250 tons of golden durian variety, soliciting prices from three vendors. Company B offered 100 baht per kilogram, Company C offered 105 baht per kilogram, and Company D offered 110 baht per kilogram. The project was never included in the 2020 annual operational plan, had no procurement planning, and was not announced on the organization's website or through public notices, violating procurement regulations.

Rungroach approved the purchase from Company B at the lowest bid of 100 baht per kilogram and authorized a sales contract. Company B delivered 250,000 kilograms as agreed. Subsequently, the sales director proposed selling the durians to Company A at 103 baht per kilogram for a total of 25,750,000 baht. Company A placed an order but the document trail ends mid-sentence regarding payment.