Thai anti-graft body dropped its case against an ex-minister a court found hid shares
Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) dropped the asset-concealment case against former Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. According to the opposition's petition, the NACC ruled that he did not intentionally submit false asset declarations, even though the Constitutional Court ruled 7-1 on 17 January 2024 that he had concealed his shares in and ownership of Burijarearn (also transliterated Burijaroen) Construction Limited Partnership in Buriram province through a nominee, ending his ministerial status retroactively from 3 March 2023. On Friday 5 June 2026 opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, Democrat deputy leader Sathit Wongnongtoey and Senator Nantana Nantavaropas held a press briefing on a petition submitted to House speaker Sophon Zarum, who will decide whether to forward it to the Supreme Court president with a request for an independent inquiry into the NACC for alleged malfeasance. The petition alleges the NACC used improper investigative processes, did not thoroughly examine assets and liabilities or summon the complainant, and concealed information. The NACC has said its decision does not contradict the Constitutional Court ruling and that it found no evidence of intent to conceal assets (Thai PBS World). These are the opposition's allegations; the NACC's decision and the petition's outcome are not a court finding.
The petition also stated that the NACC ruled that Mr Saksayam did not intentionally submit false asset declarations, contradicting the Constitutional Court's investigation and ruling, even though he remained a shareholder in Burijaroen Construction Limited Partnership.
The NACC has recently claimed that its decision is not contrary to the Constitutional Court's ruling. It asserted that had not found any evidence suggesting that the former transport minister intended to conceal assets.
On January 17, the Constitutional Court found that Saksayam concealed his shares and ownership of Burijarearn Construction Limited Partnership in Buriram province. In a 7 to 1 vote, the court said that based on inconsistencies in his statements and irregular circumstances, it was convinced that Saksayam continued to hold his shares in the company through his nominee following his appointment as transport minister in the previous government.
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PDRC representatives submitted a request at Parliament urging the Speaker to forward the petition to the Supreme Court president, calling the undisclosed screening committee a delay tactic; the Speaker's adviser received it. Source ↗
Opposition whip chair Prits Watcharasindhu wrote to Speaker Sophon demanding disclosure of the screening committee's members, a review timeframe, a hearing for petitioners and publication of its findings, more than 40 days after the petition was filed. Source ↗
House Speaker Sophon Zarum signed an order appointing a screening committee with external members to advise whether to forward the opposition's petition against the NACC to the Supreme Court president, setting no deadline. Source ↗