871 million baht in gold confiscated from former revenue chief

The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases has ordered the confiscation of gold, worth about 871 million baht, belonging to a former director-general of the Revenue Department, after he was found guilty of being “unusually rich”.

The court’s ruling was issued on July 17th and was disclosed today by Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

Niwatchai told the media today that the NACC faulted Sathit Rangkhasiri, former director-general of the Revenue Department, for being “unusually rich” back on October 28th, 2016, over his possession of 15 gold bars, weighing 317.99kg and worth about 871 million baht, which he purchased from the Hua Seng Heng Commoditas Company Limited.

He said the gold bullion has been impounded by the NACC and kept at the Bank of Thailand since 2019.

In August 2021, Sathit and a senior revenue official, Siripong Riyakarnthirachote, were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases for approving about three billion baht in VAT refunds to 25 companies in 2012 and 2013. The third defendant, Prasit Ariyachote, was given six years in prison.

The three convicts were also ordered by the court to be held collectively accountable for compensating the Revenue Department for the 3 billion baht in illegal VAT refunds.