The former rector of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) reported to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) on Tuesday and denied any involvement in the 1.494-billion-baht KMITL embezzlement scandal.
Thawil Phuengma, right, former rector of the King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, reports to the Crime Suppression Division on Tuesday, to be charged for alleged involvement in an embezzlement scandal. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
Thawil Phuengma, accompanied by his lawyer, said he did not have anything to do with the embezzlement scheme, claiming he does not remember what documents he signed.
Although the documents were forged, he did not notice.
He also claimed there were two administration teams before and after his administration during 2012-2014, the period when the financial irregularities were spotted.
Mr Thawil was charged with theft, falsifying documents, abuse of power, negligence of duty, and money laundering. He denies all the allegations.
However, Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri, assistant national police chief, said Mr Thawil signed documents to open saving accounts before he was rector and he closed the accounts after his administration ended.
He also sent a letter to the bank, forbidding them from examining the institute's accounts or financial status, Pol Lt Gen Prawut added.
He said Mr Thawil also has close ties with Songklod Sriprasong, a suspect who used to work for the Siam Commercial Bank's (SCB) branch at KMITL.
Mr Thawil defended Mr Songklod's conduct when the bank found he was linked to the fraud scandal and threatened to transfer him.
The KMITL has also empowered the CSD to take legal action against the remaining two former executives — Sappasit Limnorarat and Sarut Ratchaburi.
Mr Sarut, a lecturer at the KMITL, also turned himself in to police yesterday, denying any wrongdoing. Mr Sappasit, a former assistant to the KMITL rector, will report to the CSD today.
Mr Sarut told police that Mr Songklod persuaded him to invest in several funds with high profits in 2006. However, the return of profit was delayed in 2009.
Mr Sarut said he then asked Mr Songklod to return his money but later found five million baht, which Mr Songklod wired to his account, had been transferred directly from the university's account.
Mr Thawil was released on 5-million-baht bail, but Mr Sarut was detained because his collateral was not enough to cover the 5-million-baht bail on Tuesday.