Appeals Court Acquits Former Songkhla Official in Procurement Case

On August 18, 2026, the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases delivered an Appeals Court verdict regarding Nipon Bunyamanee, the former head of the Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO). The case, brought by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), centered on allegations of malfeasance under Section 157 of the Criminal Code, specifically concerning the refusal to authorize a payment of over 50 million baht for two multi-purpose road maintenance vehicles.

The Appeals Court reversed the initial lower court conviction, ruling that there was insufficient evidence to prove Nipon acted with malicious intent to harm the contractor. The court determined that Nipon’s decision to order further inspections of the vehicles was a legitimate exercise of his authority as a local government executive. Given the high value of the procurement and the fact that only a single inspection document had been provided, the court found his actions were intended to protect the public interest rather than to arbitrarily cancel the contract.

For residents and those interested in local governance, this ruling clarifies the scope of administrative oversight in public procurement. While this decision resolves the criminal charges against Nipon, it remains to be seen if the NACC will pursue further legal avenues or if the contractor will seek alternative civil remedies. The case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of public spending within Thailand’s provincial administrative bodies.