The State Audit Commission on Monday ordered the Buri Ram provincial administration organisation to trace how 20 million baht in public funds were spent after allegations it was used to transport thousands of Buriram United Football Club supporters years ago.
SAC chairman Chaisit Trachutham said that the Office of the Auditor General examined the 2013 financial report of the Buri Ram PAO and found that the organisation had allocated 20 million baht to the Sports Association of Buriram Province, which in turn spent it on foods, allowances, PR signs and transport of youths, sports personnel and fans to cheer players of Buriram United at 16 matches in provinces.
The spending did not benefit public education or the public interest as required by the law and regulations governing PAOs, he said.
Therefore, the SAC ordered the Buri Ram PAO to set up a committee to find facts and people responsible for the budget allocation so that compensation and legal action can proceed, Mr Chaisit said.
Thai media reported that 500 to 4,950 people had been transported to cheer Buriram United at each match and, earlier, Newin Chidchob, politician-turned-chairman of the football club, insisted that it never received a baht from the Buri Ram PAO and that it was financially independent.