Satun Provincial Chief Faces Criminal Charges Over Delayed Tourist Center Project
Satun PAO chairman Samruddhi Liang Prasit faces criminal charges for mismanaging a 29.8-million-baht tourist center project that dragged on for six years, with investigators finding he repeatedly extended deadlines for a contractor run by h
On July 6, 2025, Surapong Inthatawon, Secretary-General of the NACC, announced that the commission had found criminal liability against Samruddhi Liang Prasit, Satun PAO chairman, for improperly managing a 29.8-million-baht tourist service center construction contract in Kuan Don district signed in September 2016. The project was supposed to be completed in December 2017 over 450 days with 11 work phases.
After signing, the contractor failed to begin work, prompting the PAO to issue four urgent notices before the contract deadline. By January 2018, only 25.79% of work was completed. Despite staff recommendations to terminate the contract and penalties exceeding 213% totaling 58.1 million baht, Samruddhi repeatedly approved contract extensions and allowed the contractor to submit revised work plans. The contractor continued to miss deadlines for over six years until finally submitting completed work on January 23, 2023.
Investigations revealed that Somkiat Liang Prasit, the managing partner of the contracting company, is Samruddhi's younger brother, suggesting potential nepotism. The NACC found Samruddhi violated criminal law under Articles 151 and 157 of the Criminal Code, Article 172 of the Anti-Corruption Act B.E. 2561, and Article 77 of the Provincial Administrative Organization Act B.E. 2540. The contractor company and Somkiat are considered accessories to Samruddhi's actions. The NACC has referred the case to the Supreme Prosecutor's Office for criminal prosecution and to relevant authorities for disciplinary action.
