The Energy Ministry has fired two civil servants for allegedly demanding a bribe from a local company.
The two men, both C-8 level civil servants, were arrested by the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) at the Energy Ministry complex on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road on Monday.
The men, Jakchai Tangpratchayakul and Tapanapong Pasanapat, allegedly asked for 50,000 baht in return for "helping" a business to change its registered category.
The latest arrests came after the business concerned complained to the PACC. It immediately informed the ministry, which tracked down the bribery suspects.
Pol Maj Gen Charunkiat Pankaeo, chief of the Royal Thai Police's anti-corruption division, said the two men were questioned at Bang Sue police station.
They were then charged with demanding a bribe from a businessman whose company sells construction materials in Prachin Buri in exchange for their help in processing an application.
The director-general of the Department of Energy Business sacked the men after hearing of the bribery charges and ordered the setting-up of a panel to carry out a disciplinary probe against them.
The result of that investigation is expected in a week, said Kulit Sombatsiri, permanent secretary for energy.
Any individuals or businesses called upon by civil servants to pay bribes are encouraged to immediately file a complaint with the ministry's top officials or the PACC, said Mr Kulit.
Meanwhile, a female official working for a local administrative organisation in Sakhon Nakhon was arrested yesterday for allegedly demanding 30,000 baht in return for approving the issuance of a work contract at a childcare centre in the province.