Police Issue Summons for 18-Year-Old Who Forged Documents and Impersonated Government Official to Defraud Poor Home Repair Fund
An 18-year-old has been summoned for impersonating a government official and defrauding a community housing program of nearly 600,000 baht meant for low-income repairs in Buriram province. Provincial officials have pledged emergency repairs
Police have issued a summons for an 18-year-old suspect accused of impersonating a government official and defrauding a community organization of nearly 600,000 baht intended for home repairs for low-income families. The suspect allegedly embezzled funds from a housing program, stole from a community welfare savings fund, and conned an elderly woman out of additional money. On May 22, provincial social development officials visited affected families and pledged to expedite emergency home repairs for four households whose homes were left in dangerous disrepair.
On May 22, 2026, Piyanat Sengiemsak, the Buriram provincial governor, led a team to visit and provide support to four low-income families approved for home repairs under the Sufficient Housing Program administered by the Community Organization Development Institute. Eleven homes total were to be repaired in Charekmak subdistrict, Prakonchai district, Buriram province.
However, an 18-year-old named Jetrin, who fraudulently posed as a government official, infiltrated the project and swindled 375,000 baht from the subdistrict community organization. While only seven homes were actually built, he caused four remaining homes to go unrepaired. Additionally, he embezzled over 426,000 baht from the community welfare savings fund and defrauded an elderly woman of 7,400 baht, bringing his total fraud to nearly 600,000 baht.
Inspection of the four unrepaired homes revealed they were in dangerous, dilapidated condition. The residents include elderly and disabled persons. Provincial social development authorities have committed to accelerating emergency home repairs and recovering the embezzled funds.
When interviewed, Swee Seepara, 27, granddaughter of 77-year-old Pong Ulid Prakonchai, one of the four families still awaiting repairs, described their home as severely deteriorated with a leaking roof that causes water damage during rainy season, making sleep difficult. Though initially disappointed by news of the fraud, she was moved to tears when provincial officials visited and promised to proceed with urgent repairs.
According to Anusan Sriprom, investigation officer at Ban Bua Police Station, the case is divided into three parts: the community organization's fraud complaint regarding the misappropriated home repair funds (with project deadline June 30, 2026); the embezzlement of daily savings fund contributions (still awaiting documentation); and the elderly woman's case (summons already issued). If the suspect fails to respond to summons, an arrest warrant will be issued. Authorities are also gathering evidence to determine what additional charges may apply regarding his fraudulent impersonation of a government official.
