The King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) has pledged to tighten financial security measures to prevent fraud in the future.
Actress Sawika 'Pinky' Chaiyadech arrives at the Crime Suppression Division to give a statement after her name appeared as a business partner of Kittisak Muttujad, one of the suspects involved in the 1.6-billion-baht King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang embezzlement scam. Police said there is no evidence to implicate her. Apichart Jinakul
Speaking yesterday on the scandal in which 1.6 billion baht has allegedly been embezzled from the institute, Assoc Prof Chamroon Laosinwattana, acting vice-president of the KMITL, said those in charge have begun to overhaul its financial management system to close gaps that led to the debacle.
They have appointed a new employee authorised to sign for and carry out transactions. Transaction details — including the bank branch and the amount of money transferred — are recorded in a daily log book with the signature of whoever carried out the transaction. All passbooks must now be updated weekly.
They also intend to conduct a review of their bank accounts and will determine which accounts should be maintained and which were created for the fraud and should be closed.
In the long term, the institute will contract an outside institution to oversee its finances. It must be accredited and reputable and must also have experience working with both the government and the private sector, Mr Chamroon said.
He gave no timeframe for when these measures would be introduced.
Mr Chamroon insisted the KMITL's financial procedures are normally reliable.
But the embezzlement was caused by forged documentation, including changes to bank books and transfer amounts certified by the bank, he said.
Agencies both inside and outside the institute have been examining all financial documents.
Prof Monai Krairiksh, acting president of the KMITL, said the institute asked authorities to investigate the issue and said any executive management teams found to have been involved in this fraud must be prosecuted.
He added the missing money will not affect the institute's academics or administrative management.
The embezzlement scandal was thrust into the spotlight after the KMITL filed a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) last month against Songklod Sriprasong, former manager of Bank of Ayudhya's Big C Srinakarin branch, and Amporn Noisamrit, head of the KMITL's financial division.
The university said it had found financial irregularities between 2012 and 2014.
Apart from Mr Songklod and Ms Amporn, charges of document forgery, theft and money laundering have been filed against six others: Poonsak Boonsawat, Jariwat Sahapornudomkarn, Somphong Sahapornudomkarn, Kittisak Muttujad, Sombat Sopradit and Chanchira Sopradit.
Mr Poonsak and Mr Jariwat have been arrested while warrants for the other four suspects are expected to be issued by the Criminal Court today.
Meanwhile, actress Sawika "Pinky" Chaiyadech, who reportedly holds shares in KPP Production Co, another company belonging to Mr Kittisak, offered testimony at the CSD yesterday.
Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri, assistant national police chief, said Sawika's name was used by company shareholders after she was persuaded to join the business, but she was never involved with running the company.
Her passbook does not suggest involvement in the KMITL case, he said.