State Audit Office Flags Irregular Hiring at Thai PBS
The State Audit Office announced audit results for Thai PBS, citing irregularities in hiring production personnel and improper remuneration payments. The audit followed internal complaints received in late 2025 and early 2026 about unlawful spending, and also examined senior executives’ use of organizational assets. Officials said further reports on vehicle use and potential misconduct will be released soon, with any findings of corruption to be forwarded to the anti-corruption commission.
On October 14, 2026, at the State Audit Office headquarters, Deputy Auditor-General Sutthipong Boonnithee, along with officials Sinianat Phochai, Montulee Yoki, and Somthat Nitithiratt, presented the audit results for Thai PBS, the national public broadcaster. Sutthipong explained that the audit was initiated after internal whistleblower complaints received between late 2025 and early 2026 alleged that the organization’s expenditures violated laws, regulations, cabinet resolutions, and standard government procedures, potentially causing damage to the agency.
He said the audit examined several areas, chiefly the procurement of news production personnel and the misuse of organizational property by senior officials. The audit also assessed the effectiveness and performance of Thai PBS, which receives an annual budget of over two billion baht, with about half allocated to content procurement and production. Earlier reports on October 2 and October 9 had already covered performance assessments and procurement compliance, while the investigation into specific misconduct by officials remains pending and will be released shortly.
The audit teams have been working since January 26, 2026, following the State Audit Office’s mandate under Section 10 of the State Audit Act, allowing concerned parties to respond to objections. Sutthipong noted that if shortcomings are found, the office will seek restitution and disciplinary action; if fraud is uncovered, the case will be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. He emphasized that the audit was not a rebuttal to any agency and that the process took six to seven months of analysis.
