Equipment to be scaled back for new Parliament

[rooster59]

Equipment to be scaled back for new Parliament

By KHANITTHA THEPPAJORN 
THE NATION

 

 

THE secretary-general of the House of Representatives, Sorasak Pienvej, has backtracked and agreed to review the controversial budget for the construction of new Parliament buildings and especially its information technology system.

 

The sophisticated system, with a price tag of more than Bt6 billion, was this week rejected by the Cabinet.

 

The construction budget approved by the House for this fiscal year was more than Bt8.5 billion, with more than 70 per cent of it earmarked for an IT system with top-notch equipment.

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday complained that some of the items were too expensive. Subsequently, the president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, ordered involved agencies to clarify the matter.

Sorasak insisted that the Bt8.5-billion budget was not too high but said he had given up some of the items that were targeted for criticism such as the microphone systems, which were priced at Bt700,000 per set, and a Bt75,000 clock.

 

The purchase plan had been made taking into consideration future technology, he said. In addition, all the equipment in the plan matched the needs and use of Parliament, he added.

 

They were of industrial grade, Sorasak explained, noting their durability would have ensured they could take heavy workloads such as continuous use for over 24 hours, which was in line with the parliamentary affairs.

 

Some of the technology planned in the purchase had also been designed as a solution for Parliament work, the official added, such as preventing illegal voting by MPs on behalf of their absent colleagues. The new voting system also involved fingerprint scans for identity verification in addition to the use of an ID card, Sorasak said. 

 

However, he admitted that the prices quoted in the budget plan did not refer to those set by the Bureau of the Budget. He said the equipment with such specific specifications for Parliament were generally not available in the market. 

 

Both the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) had already sought information from the office and may investigate the issue, he said. 

 

Following a furore over the additional Bt8.5-billion budget, Sorasak said involved agencies had considered reducing the quality as well as quantity of equipment. For instance, from planning to give each MP their own microphone, now two MPs might have to share a microphone, the official said.

 

‘Critical to pass budget plan’

 

The working committee would convene next Monday to reach a conclusion, he added.

 

But it was not clear by how much the initial Bt6.5-billion budget could be reduced, Sorasak said.

 

“But we hope that the budget plan will pass this time. If does not, it would affect the whole construction plan,” he said.

 

Completion of construction of the new Parliament had already been delayed a couple of times. Officials were now concerned that the construction company would exploit the rejection of the budget as an excuse to further delay the plan.

 

Currently, officials had set December next year as deadline to make sure it would be ready for the new Lower and Upper Houses expected also next year.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30345778

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-19

[YetAnother]

haha; look at the guy in the photo with his arms crossed; he wont get his nice new shiny office now

[worgeordie]

Get Copper troughs instead of Golden ones,that will save

a few THB

regards worgeordie

[Cadbury]

Parliament House funds need to be sacrificed for the coming junta election campaign and vote buying slush fund. The Thai Niyom funds must be running low and they have milked every other source of income. Desperation is setting in and they have to make a few sacrifices themselves. Poor souls!

If not, it won't be their little backsides sitting in the plush chairs it will be opposition party members occupying them. 

[Lupatria]

Don't worry guys, some of your most poopular amenities will not be flushed down even with a modified budget.

                                

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

the prices quoted in the budget plan did not refer to those set by the Bureau of the Budget. He said the equipment with such specific specifications for Parliament were generally not available in the market.

Incompetence and negligence.

Sorasak should pay the difference out of his personal funds, not taxpayer funds.

 

[KhunBENQ]

Do I remember excessively expensive wall clocks for the parlament?

Ah yes, but wasn't that during the corrupt Yingluck government?

 

Now we have honorable members of the forces at the helm and such evil can't happen again.

 

And wasn't there bloody expensive audio/conferencing equipment?

Sometimes I feel like being thrown around in a time machine.

[KhunBENQ]

Wall clocks from 2013:

Quote

Parliament bought 238 high-tech Bodet digital clocks for Bt14.9 million, which include satellite linkage and a maintenance system. On average, the price for each set would be Bt62,500.

Can't find the conferencing system news.

I remember it was purchased at a Thai supplier at a multitude of the world market price.

[Chang_paarp]

13 hours ago, rooster59 said:

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday complained that some of the items were too expensive. Subsequently, the president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, ordered involved agencies to clarify the matter.

Uncle Too has become an expert on the cost of IT equipment now? 

 

So I guess a trip to pantip/tukcom isn't going to fix this? 

[cookieqw]

such as preventing illegal voting by MPs on behalf of their absent colleagues

xx

unbelievable, you guys are right it does go all the way to the top