Rungruang denies Phuket bribery allegation and files complaints against accusers

Rungruang has denied allegations that he demanded a B1 million payment to facilitate a land matter in Cherng Talay, Phuket, and said he has filed two separate criminal complaints connected to the case and his suspension from office.

Speaking to reporters outside the Criminal Court on July 16, he said one complaint targeted the person who accused him of seeking the payment. The other accused Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) Director-General Narucha Khosasilvilai of abusing his authority for political purposes by sharing the controversial “Help the Blue” campaign message ahead of the national election in February.

The appearance was Rungruang’s first detailed public response since his arrest late last month. He said the events leading to his suspension had occurred unusually quickly. According to Rungruang, he returned to Phuket on June 24 after a temporary transfer to DOPA headquarters, a complaint was filed against him the same day, an arrest warrant was issued on June 26 and he was suspended on June 27.

“I didn’t have the opportunity to answer or provide the facts to the media,” he said, adding that he had “absolutely no involvement whatsoever” in the local-government corruption investigation. He also said he had never met, spoken to or had contact with the three people arrested in the recruitment-examination case or the five government officials under investigation.

Rungruang rejected the separate allegation that he solicited B1 million from a businessman over disputed land in Cherng Talay. He declined to identify the businessman, describing him as a highly respected figure in society, and said he would never accept benefits from him.

He said he had assembled evidence that he believes shows he played no role in the recruitment-examination scandal. He also questioned the handling of the investigation, arguing that disciplinary action was taken before investigators had properly established the facts. His lawyer, he said, had filed a lawsuit in the Anti-Corruption Court concerning the dismissal order.

Rungruang further questioned why his case had advanced more rapidly than other corruption investigations involving government officials. He said other civil servants facing investigations over alleged damage of several billion baht had remained in their positions, calling his treatment a case of “double standards”.

His lawyer, Narin Somnuk, confirmed that several legal proceedings were under way. He said the defence had filed a case with the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct over the alleged B1 million solicitation, maintaining that no money had been demanded. Provincial officials involved in investigating the disputed land matter are expected to testify.

Narin also confirmed the separate case against DOPA Director-General Narucha over the “Help the Blue” issue, which he described as an unlawful exercise of authority. Rungruang has also filed a countersuit against those who originally accused him of demanding the alleged bribe. The court has assigned a case number and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Oct 26.