Former Phichit Chief Sentenced to 12 Years for Embezzling Donations
Former Phichit provincial chief Wirat has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for embezzling 3 million baht in donations meant for a Buddhist college, with the court ordering him to repay the funds.
A court has sentenced the former provincial chief of Phichit to 12 years in prison for embezzling 3 million baht in donations intended for Mahachulalongkorn Rajabhat University's Phichit Buddhist College, and ordered him to repay the institution. The case also revealed connections to a group nicknamed "golf residue."
On June 29, the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct read its verdict in case number 195/2568, imposing a 12-year prison sentence on Wirat (formerly Luangpho Thepvachrasit), the former Phichit provincial chief and former abbot of Wat Thaluan, a royal temple.
The prosecution charged him with misappropriating educational funds. According to court findings, while serving as Phichit's provincial chief and overseeing Mahachulalongkorn Rajabhat University's Phichit Buddhist College, Wirat received a 3 million baht donation intended for the institution's development. The funds were transferred to his personal bank account, but he refused to deposit them into the university's accounts. Investigators discovered he collaborated with outsiders, specifically a group led by Ms. Wilawal, also known as "golf residue," to embezzle the money for personal use.
His actions violated Criminal Code sections 147 (public official embezzlement through corruption) and 157 (public official dereliction of duty). Throughout the investigation and trial, the court denied bail, keeping him in custody continuously.
The court found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to 12 years imprisonment, while ordering him to repay 3 million baht to the college.
