GT200 Bomb Sniffers

B800-900 million
The British-made device was meant to detect explosives, and their use in the deep South led to hundreds of arrests—arrests we now know were baseless. The GT200 was actually two empty plastic boxes, although the army was paying B900,000 per scanner. You could also add “sensor cards on them,” increasing the cost to B1.2 million. The cards, when taken apart, were just crudely cut pieces of cardboard. Despite this, the case never went to court, the army continued to claim the scanners work and they even received the enthusiastic support of top forensic investigator, Dr. Pornthip.

Thai Khem Khaeng

Part of the B86 billion overall budget
Under the Abhisit government, the Ministry of Public Health drew flack for overspending and inflated prices on just about everything they bought under the stimulus spending scheme, from UV fans and ambulances to equipment and building materials. Thanks to the findings of head investigator Banlu Siripanich, the Public Health Minister and Democrat MP Witthaya Kaewparadai and the Deputy Minister from Bhumjaithai Party Manit Nop-amornbodi had to resign, although there were no legal consequences for either of them.

The Ratchadaphisek Land Case

B100 million
In 2003, Potjaman Shinawatra bought land from the government for B772 million. By some estimates, Potjaman should have paid B880 million for the Ratchadapisek plots. For this, Thaksin was found guilty of abusing his power while Prime Minister by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. He was sentenced to two years in jail. Potjaman was refunded with 7% interest per annum and the land was sold to a property developer for B1.8 billion.

The Fire Truck Scandal

B6.6 billion
In 2004, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration signed a contract for fire trucks and boats from Austrian company Steyr. It was approved by Interior Minister Bokhin Balakula and Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej as part of a barter deal for Thai chickens. But it was Samak’s democrat successor, Apirak Kosayodhin, who opened a letter of credit to foot the bill. When it was revealed the trucks were seriously overpriced, Apirak was forced to resign on Nov 13, 2008. Recently, Apirak was also found to have had fake CCTV cameras installed in the capital, although the former governor claims they were the fastest way to restore a sense of security in the capital in the wake of the Dec 31, 2006, New Year’s Eve bombings.

Shin Corp.

B46 billion
The Shinawatras’ shares in Shin Corp increased in value by B46 billion from the date Thaksin took office in 2001 to their sale to the Singaporean company Temasek in 2006. The Supreme Court found Thaksin guilty of a conflict of interest and corruption for enacting policies that benefited the company during his time as Prime Minister and confiscated the B46 billion, while freezing another B30 billion. Thaksin supporters argue the liberalization of the telecoms market benefited the entire sector (and consumers) and that Shin Corp’s increase in value was in line with the Thai Stock Market’s performance over the same period.