Bangkok, Thailand — On February 2, authorities arrested Kongsiri, a 67-year-old former prosecutor from Yasothon province, for failing to appear at a bribery verdict. Kongsiri, who had been on the run, was arrested at his residence in Bang Khun Non district in Bangkok.
Kongsiri had been wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Region 3. The charges stem from an incident in 2001, when he served as a prosecutor in Yasothon and allegedly accepted a 100,000 baht (US$2,930) bribe from the relatives of a drug case suspect. In exchange, Kongsiri used his judicial influence to help alter the outcome of the case.
Despite the charges, Kongsiri avoided his December 2023 court appearance for the verdict, aware he was facing a three-year, four-month prison sentence. Consequently, an arrest warrant was issued for his failure to comply with the court.
After an extensive search, police tracked Kongsiri down to Bangkok, where he was taken into custody. During questioning, he admitted to the bribery charge. Kongsiri is now facing further proceedings in the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Region 3.
This case highlights ongoing issues of judicial misconduct and corruption within Thailand’s legal system. Kongsiri’s arrest is seen as an important step toward accountability, though the investigation continues.
