Hat yai: Director-General Nirun is urgently addressing corruption issues at the Hat Yai cooperative, ordering Provincial Cooperative Offices nationwide to thoroughly examine cooperatives at risk. The Director-General of the Department of Cooperative Promotion is urgently addressing the issue of the Hat Yai Credit Union defrauding members of over 399 million baht. He revealed the cause was cooperative staff altering code in the IT system, creating fake accounts to withdraw money. The director-general has ordered all provincial cooperative offices nationwide to thoroughly examine cooperatives at risk.
According to Thai News Agency, the scandal came to light when Mr. Juree Numkaew, a Member of Parliament from Songkhla Province, raised concerns in Parliament following complaints from cooperative members in Hat Yai District. These members reported missing funds from their accounts-money they had saved for almost their entire lives. Mr. Nirun Multhida, Director-General of the Department of Cooperative Promotion, has since made significant progress in addressing the embezzlement case at Hat Yai Credit Union Cooperative Limited, involving a massive amount of 399.550 million baht.
The investigation uncovered that the head of the IT department was manipulating the IT systems to create fake accounts and alter existing data. A total of 88 accounts were affected, with fictitious accounts established using information from closed accounts. This manipulation involved falsifying figures and altering registration numbers, leading to the withdrawal of funds from the system without actual deposits being made. The cooperation of individuals posing as account holders facilitated the fraudulent withdrawals.
"Based on our investigation, the cooperative has only one IT head, and their work lacks confidentiality, allowing them easy access to all systems. This creates opportunities for corruption. Going forward, all cooperatives need to have qualified IT personnel with tiered access to information," said the Director-General of the Department of Cooperative Promotion.
Further investigations revealed total damages nearing 400 million baht, with 92 individuals implicated. The special cooperative inspection team scrutinized documents, CCTV footage, and officials' statements. Consequently, the board of directors dismissed 10 cooperative officials, including the head of the IT department. A formal complaint has been lodged with the police to initiate criminal proceedings, and a civil lawsuit is planned for May 2026. Additionally, coordination with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) is ongoing to investigate the financial transactions of all involved parties.
To prevent future incidents, the Director-General emphasized the importance of technology in monitoring cooperatives. Measures include promoting the use of applications for members to check their information, requiring cooperatives to submit data to the central monitoring and alert system, and enhancing internal control and risk management. Collaborative networks with external agencies like AMLO and the Royal Thai Police will also be established to combat corruption.
"I have instructed all provincial cooperative officers to thoroughly inspect every cooperative in their respective areas. If they notice any irregularities or signs of potential future corruption, they must investigate immediately, without waiting for any damage to occur," the Director-General stressed.
Mr. Chana Amornwat, the Songkhla Provincial Cooperative Officer, reported ongoing investigations and coordination with AMLO to scrutinize the financial activities of the perpetrators. Criminal proceedings are underway, with efforts to gather comprehensive evidence to ensure a thorough investigation. The cooperative has also prepared for a civil lawsuit slated for May 2026.