Ex-Sakon Nakhon Governor Charged in Blanket Procurement Fraud
Former Sakon Nakhon governor Chaimongkol Chaiyarab has been indicted for allegedly inflating blanket prices by 60 baht per unit in a 2010 emergency procurement that cost the province 3 million baht.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has indicted Chaimongkol Chaiyarab, former governor of Sakon Nakhon Provincial Administrative Organization, and associates for corruption in a 11-million-baht blanket procurement project. NACC Secretary-General Surpong Inthathawaree announced on August 11, 2025, that the commission found probable cause against Chaimongkol for misconduct during his tenure as PAO governor regarding the procurement of insulated blankets in fiscal year 2010 with a budget of 11 million baht.
Investigation revealed that on November 20, 2009, Sakon Nakhon declared a cold-weather emergency across 18 districts and requested blankets to assist victims. Chaimongkol approved the procurement process. Procurement staff submitted price quotes from five community enterprises ranging from 160 to 238 baht per blanket. Staff calculated an average price of 221.40 baht, which Chaimongkol approved for special procurement at 220 baht per blanket for 50,000 units, totaling 11 million baht—despite the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation setting standard prices of 120–160 baht per blanket.
Bids were then collected from nine community enterprises, all quoting identical prices of 220 baht per blanket—60 baht above the government standard. On January 5, 2010, Chaimongkol signed purchase agreements with all nine groups. On January 19, 2010, he authorized payment of the full 11 million baht, resulting in a 3-million-baht loss to the organization.
The NACC determined that Chaimongkol and associates committed criminal offenses under Penal Code sections 151 and 157, with Chaimongkol also violating the Provincial Administrative Organization Act of 1997, section 77. The commission found insufficient evidence that the procurement committee acted criminally and dismissed those charges. However, charges under Penal Code sections 157 and 157 with section 86 have expired, so criminal prosecution is barred under Criminal Procedure Code section 39(6), and the case is dismissed.
