Thai military faces renewed bribery allegations involving US firm

[webfact]

Allegations of transnational bribery involving the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) have resurfaced, prompting responses from top officials. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai acknowledged the persistent issue, stating that bribery has long plagued the military.

 

“It’s been around for a long time.”

 

Phumtham, addressing the recent claims of kickbacks allegedly paid by a US company to the RTAF, admitted he has yet to examine the details of the latest allegations, adding that his immediate focus is on directing military relief operations for flood victims in the north and northeast regions.

 

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has committed to investigating reports suggesting that Deere, a US-based agricultural and construction equipment firm, paid bribes to secure contracts with the RTAF, the Department of Highways (DoH), and the Department of Rural Roads.

This commitment from the NACC follows Deere’s agreement to pay US$9.93 million (approximately 336 million baht) to settle charges by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The charges indicated that Deere’s Thai subsidiary, Wirtgen Thailand, bribed state agencies to win procurement contracts.

The NACC highlighted that this case of international bribery is of significant public interest. The commission is actively gathering information and coordinating with the SEC to ensure thorough investigation and prosecution of any officials found to have accepted bribes.

RTAF chief ACM Panpakdee Pattanakul confirmed the RTAF’s awareness of the reports, noting that the alleged bribes were paid between 2019 and 2020.

 

Yesterday, September 17, Phumtham emphasised the existence of agencies dedicated to handling corruption cases involving state officials and political office holders. The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) deals with graft related to state officials, while the NACC addresses corruption among public office holders, reported Bangkok Post.

 

“They must be given a free hand to do their jobs. The Defence Ministry will not interfere with the investigation process.”

While addressing the broader issue of military procurement projects, Phumtham expressed uncertainty about continuing the initiatives started by his predecessor, Sutin Klungsang.

He stated that procurement projects, including those for Gripen fighter jets and submarines, will be revisited after addressing the immediate flooding emergency.

 

by Bright Choomanee
Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-09-18
 

 

[Artisi]

can't possibly be true, it's a major misunderstanding of an otherwise unblemished record of honesty and dedication to the well-being of Thailand.

[lordgrinz]

I doubt anyone in existence questions how corrupt, dishonest, and dangerous the Thai military is, but when will someone do anything about it?

[Will B Good]

John Deere was involved in a bribery case related to its subsidiary in Thailand. The company agreed to pay around $10 million in penalties to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). From 2017 to 2020, employees of Wirtgen Thailand, a subsidiary of John Deere, paid bribes to Thai government officials and employees of a private company to secure contracts. These bribes included cash payments, massage parlor sessions, and sightseeing trips disguised as business expenses. The illicit payments were inaccurately recorded as legitimate expenses in the company’s financial records  

 

 

I wonder if there is anyway the Thai authorities might be able to find out who was involved.....??????

 

 

 

Edited September 18 by Will B Good

[brianthainess]

It will never change, the military run this country and always will. I would still like just one reporter to have the balls and ask "why does Thailand need fighter jets or submarines ?"

 Just one, even if they get a slap.

[Artisi]

32 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

It will never change, the military run this country and always will. I would still like just one reporter to have the balls and ask "why does Thailand need fighter jets or submarines ?"

 Just one, even if they get a slap.

Thailand doesn't really need them, it's for the kiddy tin soldiers to play with, "toys for the boys" 

 

[retarius]

So obviously a lie to discredit the armed forces why did the BP even post it. Beside there is was an SEC investigation in the US and Deere paid $10 to the SEC but no one went to jail this proving no bribe ever happened.

[spidermike007]

It's great to see this kind of thing being exposed the various branches of the Thai military are likely some of the most corrupt institutions in the nation, and there's no question that they demand kickbacks with virtually all their transactions just like the rest of Thai society does. Egg on the face seems to be one of the only things that causes Thais enough embarrassment and shame, and perhaps something like this can eventually result in some progress. 

 

However the The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is extremely corrupt and exceptionally ineffective. Once it is handed over to them, kiss it goodbye. Nothing will ever come from it. 

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

This commitment from the NACC follows Deere’s agreement to pay US$9.93 million (approximately 336 million baht) to settle charges by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The charges indicated that Deere’s Thai subsidiary, Wirtgen Thailand, bribed state agencies to win procurement contracts.

Of this I have no doubt.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

From 2017 to 2020, employees of Wirtgen Thailand, a subsidiary of John Deere, paid bribes to Thai government officials and employees of a private company to secure contracts. These bribes included cash payments, massage parlor sessions, and sightseeing trips disguised as business expenses.

Any investigations within Thailand to find out who the the beneficiaries were?

[ronster]

And by next week it will all be forgotten about like most things they say they are looking into . 

[SABloke]

Well, those findings are in another country therefore do not count. (Just ask our resident Heroin minister)

[Artisi]

18 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Any investigations within Thailand to find out who the the beneficiaries were?

Fully and carefully investigated - nothing there, same as no prostitution found in Pattaya on the last 3 or 4 checks. 

[billd766]

1 hour ago, lordgrinz said:

I doubt anyone in existence questions how corrupt, dishonest, and dangerous the Thai military is, but when will someone do anything about it?

On the 35th day of Octember, which comes a million and a bit days after the 12th of never in the Thai military calendar.

 

I thought that one of the reasons that Prayuth pulled his illegal military coup 10 years ago was to crack down on corruption. I guess he must have missed that one amongst the many others that he also missed.

[billd766]

1 hour ago, retarius said:

So obviously a lie to discredit the armed forces why did the BP even post it. Beside there is was an SEC investigation in the US and Deere paid $10 to the SEC but no one went to jail this proving no bribe ever happened.

If it was an obvious lie, why was there an investigation into it in the USA. why did Deere in the USA pay $10 million USD (note for you it was $10 million USD and not $10 USD)?

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, brianthainess said:

I would still like just one reporter to have the balls and ask "why does Thailand need fighter jets or submarines ?"

 

They can't answere the question, because they don't know.

[Peabody]

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

Thailand doesn't really need them, it's for the kiddy tin soldiers to play with, "toys for the boys" 

I think it might be more about the skim off these massive multi-billion baht contracts.

[Peabody]

Already done and dusted in the US. Huge fines, employees dismissed, yada yada.

In Thailand, Thai officials will start to begin to consider to prepare to plan to form a committee to investigate possible allegations of accusations of a supposed series of putative bribes as the statute of limitations approaches.

[norfolkandchance]

Not only Thailand. Saudi Arabia. Bae Systems ( UK Government)

[watchcat]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Allegations of transnational bribery involving the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) have resurfaced,

 

Good!

[BritScot]

1 hour ago, SABloke said:

Well, those findings are in another country therefore do not count. (Just ask our resident Heroin minister)

Nice.

[Will B Good]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Any investigations within Thailand to find out who the the beneficiaries were?

 

 

No chance....they've had years to do something about this.

[Hunz Kittisak]

The current power struggle/infighting/purge has some positive by products. A lot of dirt is surfacing out in public 

[AustinRacing]

Taken a page out of Netanyahu handbook. He didn’t deny any wrongdoing, rather it will be dealt with after addressing immediate issues. He sounds confident that the tracks are well covered and relevant people have been bribed too. 

[Artisi]

19 hours ago, Peabody said:

I think it might be more about the skim off these massive multi-billion baht contracts.

That's  for the major players, their actual presence is for the toy value, Oh! and not forgetting children's day each year, at which time there is at least some benift for the real children. 

[sangtip2]

On 9/18/2024 at 10:46 AM, lordgrinz said:

I doubt anyone in existence questions how corrupt, dishonest, and dangerous the Thai military is, but when will someone do anything about it?

Same thing with the police.