'Kamnan Nok' gets 3 years in jail for bid-rigging - Bangkok Post

Praween Chankhlai, also known as ‘Kamnan Nok’ left, surrendered to police in 2023. (Police photo) The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases has sentenced Praween Chankhlai, also known as "Kamnan Nok", and other defendants to prison terms and hefty fines for bid-rigging involving a road project worth nearly 45 million baht in Nakhon Pathom.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said on Saturday the court delivered its ruling on Oct 28, imposing prison terms of up to three years and fines of 22.5 million baht on each convicted defendant.

The case involved an asphalt concrete road rehabilitation project covering 3.6 kilometres of Road No. 3004, linking Highway No. 346 to Ban Salaya in Bang Len and Phutthamonthon districts.

The 44.88-million-baht project was awarded through electronic bidding to Por Raweekanok Construction Co, whose managing director at the time was Mr Praween.

Following an investigation, the DSI submitted its findings to prosecutors on Jan 9, 2025, recommending that 41 suspects be indicted. Prosecutors later indicted 21 defendants.

The court found the defendants guilty of colluding to manipulate the bidding process, obstructing fair competition and offering, soliciting or accepting benefits to influence public procurement.

Of the nine defendants involved in organising the scheme, those convicted received three-year prison terms, except for employees, who were sentenced to two years. Another 11 defendants involved in purchasing bid documents were each sentenced to two years.

All 20 convicted defendants were fined 22.5 million baht each, while one defendant was acquitted.