KMITL ex-rector faces new asset probe

KMITL ex-rector faces new asset probe

A former rector of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Lat Krabang (KMITL) will be called in again for questioning about his assets by police handling the embezzlement scandal at the public university.

Thawil Phuengma, left, KMITL ex-rector, and former assistant Sapasit Limnorarat, were questioned by police on Jan 4 about the alleged embezzlement of 1.4 billion-baht baht from the university. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)

Crime Suppression Division (CSD) deputy chief Nos Sawetlek, head of the investigation team handling the 1.4-billion-baht embezzlement case, said on Sunday investigators would summon Thawil Phuengma, ex-rector of KMITL, to testify for a second time about his assets declared to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) last year after leaving office.

There were reports that Mr Thawil had declared 86 million baht in assets to the anti-graft agency. His assets include houses and structural buildings worth about 32 million baht, 42-milion-baht in land plots, vehicles worth 8 million baht and other valuables worth 4 million baht.

Pol Col Nos said investigators had not found any evidence showing that Mr Thawil had allegedly signed a document to withdraw 500 million baht from the university’s bank accounts when serving as the rector.

The CSD investigators want to know the origins of his assets.

They will not look into his removal as KMITL rector as that was an internal affair of the university, but would investigate whether embezzled money was involved, Pol Col Nos said.

Mr Thawil, who was rector from July 2012 to November 2013, insisted he was not involved in the scandal when he testified before CSD police earlier this month. He welcomed the inquiry, saying he had declared his assets properly when he was in office. 

The embezzlement came to light after KMITL filed a complaint with the CSD on Dec 16 against Songklod Sriprasong, 40, former manager of Bank of Ayudhya’s Big C Srinakarin branch, and Amporn Noisamrit, 56, head of KMITL’s financial division. The university said it had found financial irregularities and asked police to investigate. 

The complaint accused both of being responsible for the disappearance of the institute's money between 2012 and 2014.

The CSD deputy chief said investigators would seek a court warrant to arrest another suspect, Surapop Tangpradit, as the money trail showed several millions of baht had been transferred from the university’s accounts to those of Mr Surapop.

The investigators on Monday will start questioning five of 29 people to find out who masterminded the embezzlement.

The 29, whose assets are frozen by the Anti-Money Laundering Office, have been asked to give testimony from Monday until Jan 27. They will be asked to give statements in groups of five people. 

Those who fail to show up will face legal proceedings, Pol Col Nos said.


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