Corruption Allegations Loom Over Phuket Airport Staff

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: AoT Phuket
 

Phuket International Airport's management is currently under scrutiny for corruption, though no official investigation has commenced. Concerns centre on four Airports of Thailand (AoT) management staff accused of mismanaging an 11.8 million baht (£256,000) contract for commemorative stickers, yet they remain employed as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) continues to gather evidence.

 

In late November, NACC officials from Bangkok conducted onsite inspections following the allegations. However, the commission's Phuket office chief, Suwat Saowarat, has confirmed that they are still in the evidence-collection phase and, as such, a formal investigation hasn't been initiated. The completion of this phase will dictate when the Central NACC might proceed with an official inquiry.

 

The specific inquiries include collecting documents related to the contract, assessing budget allocations, and examining procurement methods and authorisation processes. These steps are crucial, especially given the discrepancies noted in the auction dates for the contract and the actual installation of the stickers, which occurred prior to the scheduled bidding.

Meanwhile, the NACC has expressed concerns about AoT's delay in providing necessary documentation, a situation that may be stalling their progress. While the investigation remains informal, the AoT's internal mechanisms have reportedly taken disciplinary actions against the implicated staff. However, details of the actions or their severity have not been disclosed, citing internal policy reasons.

 

Phasaramon Kanchanawanit, representing AoT communications, has assured that an internal AoT committee is reviewing the situation. Yet, the lack of external reporting to state-required agencies like the PACC or NACC has drawn criticism, reflecting possible gaps between internal procedures and formal legal obligations.

 

Despite the seriousness of the accusations, the lack of formal investigation keeps the matter in a nebulous state. As of now, the NACC awaits further documentation to advance towards a potential official probe. Meanwhile, AoT's statement in August, which promised disciplinary action post-internal review, provides no clear insight into the measures taken against the accused.

 

This situation underscores the challenges governmental oversight entities face in holding state-run enterprises accountable. The next steps will likely depend on the NACC’s ability to obtain comprehensive evidence, and whether AoT can justify its internal handling of the allegations transparently.

 

For now, the spotlight remains on both AoT and NACC, as stakeholders await clarity and decisive action. This illustrates the balance that agencies must strike between internal review processes and ensuring accountability under public corruption laws, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-10

 

 

[NanLaew]

Corruption in Phuket? Please, for the love of all that you hold dear to you, say it isn't so.

[sikishrory]

Lost me at "commemorative stickers".

 

[klauskunkel]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

accused of mismanaging an 11.8 million baht (£256,000) contract for commemorative stickers

that's a desperate level for corruption..., couldn't find space for decorative lamp posts at the airport?

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Corruption in Phuket? Please, for the love of all that you hold dear to you, say it isn't so.

Mother taught me not to lie... brace yourself.

It's true

[scottiejohn]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

especially given the discrepancies noted in the auction dates for the contract and the actual installation of the stickers, which occurred prior to the scheduled bidding.

Only in Thailand!

[HuaHinNew]

No, surely that can not be happening, corruption in Thailand government.

 

Bugger, "You could have knocked me over with a feather"

[sammieuk1]

If the evidence gathering phase finds a Lo-So it will proceed is what they mean🤔

[mran66]

Where can I get a commemorative sticker? Or only available for airport staff? 

[Srikcir]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

still in the evidence-collection phase

Where's my cut?

[Watawattana]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, the NACC has expressed concerns about AoT's delay in providing necessary documentation, a situation that may be stalling their progress.

I wonder if the AoT people responsible for the delays are being arrested for obstruction?  Sounds like they must be in on the corruption if they are delaying the investigation, or are trying to cover up other illegal activities.

[hardblogger]

That's hard to believe 

[Yagoda]

Its good to see the Thais working hard to eliminate corruption and government waste, and its even better to see folks supporting their efforts