Phuket Airport Scandal: AoT Seeks More Time for Evidence Submission

[snoop1130]

 

Airports of Thailand (AoT) has requested additional time to provide evidence to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) amidst allegations of corruption at Phuket International Airport. The controversy centres around an 11.8 million baht contract for stickers commemorating His Majesty The King, raising concerns about procedural irregularities.

 

The NACC's Phuket office is scrutinising various aspects, including budget allocation, median price determination, procurement methods, and authorisation processes. Allegations have emerged that regulations were breached by Phu Khao Advertising Co Ltd. Alarmingly, the sticker sheets were installed before the official auction date, raising further suspicions.

 

Suwat Saowarat, Director of the NACC Office in Phuket, noted that AoT had not formally informed NACC of the case, casting doubts on AoT's transparency. Meanwhile, Phasaramon Kanchanawanit, AoT’s Director of Corporate Communications, revealed that disciplinary action has been taken against the deputy director and three senior staff members at the airport, though specifics on their punishments remain undisclosed.

 

 

 

 

Despite an online notice from AoT President Kerati Kijmanawat stating that an internal investigation had concluded, AoT officials have limited their public comments. Local media sources have named the implicated individuals, but AoT has not confirmed these identities. The NACC continues its investigation, particularly focusing on ongoing jurisdictional boundaries and the substantial monetary threshold that categorises the case under their purview.

 

AoT's plea for an extension follows their inability to meet the NACC's deadline for evidence submission. Documents necessary for the inquiry are reportedly at AoT’s main office in Bangkok, now under investigation by the NACC branch in the capital. The central NACC office has accepted the case for further investigation, ensuring continued oversight.

 

This developing story touches on significant issues of corruption oversight and institutional accountability, crucial as Thailand continues to tackle corruption within its government institutions.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-10-02

 

[realfunster]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

The controversy centres around an 11.8 million baht contract for stickers commemorating His Majesty The King, raising concerns about procedural irregularities.

I don’t know whether this is the expected price and it was rigged or whether this is over the reasonable budget. In either case, why on earth would a “public company” be spending X million on something like this ?

If it wasn’t for a virtual monopoly and captive market, you could easily imagine AoT going the same way as Thai. The gravy train must be enormous…