Buriram Bank Employee Accused of Embezzling Nearly 700,000 Baht from Restaurant Owner
Buriram, Thailand – A bank employee in Buriram is facing serious allegations after a local restaurant owner accused him of embezzling nearly 700,000 baht in a deceptive loan scheme.
The victim, 32-year-old Patchara, filed a formal complaint through lawyer Weerayut Sirirueangprapa in Krasang district, claiming she was misled into taking out a personal loan under the pretense of helping the bank staffer boost his commission.
According to Patchara, the employee—described as a mutual acquaintance working at the bank—gained her trust and convinced her to apply for a loan she didn’t need, assuring her that it was merely to support his performance metrics. Trusting his position at the bank, she agreed.
On September 19, 2023, Patchara received a disbursement of 699,645 baht from the approved 700,000 baht loan, with a portion deducted for loan insurance. Believing she was doing a favor, she transferred the full amount back to the employee in several installments, starting with a lump sum of 400,000 baht just two days after receiving the loan.
The employee had promised to handle all repayments directly with the bank. However, in August 2024, Patchara was contacted by the bank’s debt collection department about missed payments. When she questioned the employee, he claimed the money was “pending in the system” and vowed to resolve the matter.
Further investigation revealed that only a small portion—around 100,000 baht—had been repaid. Patchara reported the incident to the Mueang Buriram Police Station in September 2024. While the employee initially confessed and promised to pay back the money, he has since stopped responding.
Patchara, now under pressure from the bank to repay the outstanding debt, claims she was taken advantage of and left financially burdened despite handing over the entire loan amount. She also alleges the funds may have been used by the employee for personal luxury spending.
