Graft Charge Not Substantiated: FROC

[webfact]

Graft charge not substantiated: FROC

Piyanuch Tamnukasetchai

The Nation

Political machinations could be at play as the politician and the media outlet that raised the issue of alleged corruption in the procurement of flood-relief bags have refused to provide information to an investigation panel, a source from the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) said yesterday.

The source, who asked not to be named, said Democrat Party deputy spokesman Sakoltee Phattiyakul, who first raised suspicion that the items in flood-relief bags were cheaper than the FROC's reported prices, and the editor of the ASTV Manager newspaper had refused to provide information when summoned to do so.

Only a representative from the Naew Na daily newspaper responded positively to the investigation panel, the source said, adding that regulations required witnesses to sign confirming their testimony and the request for Sakoltee to do so was not media intimidation, as had been alleged.

Commerce Ministry permanent secretary Yanyong Phuangrach, who is head of the panel, Justice Ministry chief inspector Weerayut Sukcharoen and Department of Special Investigation deputy director-general Narat Sawetanant have laid the framework for the investigation.

Preliminary information has found that the prices of the flood-relief bags range from Bt300 to Bt800, the source said.

The first batch of bags to assist flood victims were packed with donated items, but the level of donations then decreased and the FROC had to purchase supplies to fill them, thus raising the cost.

The relief bags about which questions are being asked were purchased for Bt300, but political opponents have alleged that Bt800 apiece had been charged for these bags, the source said.

PM's Office inspector Chamroen Yuttithamsakul, in charge of FROC supply distribution, was yesterday summoned by the panel to clarify whether the relief bags at each price level contained the products set out in the procurement process, where they had been distributed and under what conditions flood victims would get each level of relief items, the source said.

FROC director Police General Pracha Promnok has not announced a probe into the procurement of fibre-glass boats, tents and toilets, which were also found to have been purchased at different prices, raising doubts over transparency, the source added.

Another FROC source, who also asked not to be named, earlier said that different sets of flood-relief items would be distributed in accordance with the conditions faced by each victim.

Bt300 bags would be distributed to those only slightly affected by the flooding, while Bt500 bags would be for those still able to cook, hence they would include rice and instant noodles.

Meanwhile, Bt800 bags would be for flood victims who could no longer cook, therefore the food included in each bag would be ready-to-eat.

-- The Nation 2011-11-09

[FOODLOVER]

"Another FROC source, who also asked not to be named, earlier said that different sets of flood-relief items would be distributed in accordance with the conditions faced by each victim." So who makes these decisions on the spot? Who is controlling which areas get what bags?

"Meanwhile, Bt800 bags would be for flood victims who could no longer cook, therefore the food included in each bag would be ready-to-eat".

Who in the hell is cooking?

It seems like they go out of their way to try and screw people over. You get this one but you dont because we feel you are not damaged enough? Throw some politics in with that and you will have major problems ahead. Kind of like the pump requests. Kind of like the boats that only help one particular color. Kind of like the colored banners that claim to be the gifters of the allotted donations. Kind of like hoarded donations at FROC center number one. Kind of like asking for a state of emergency when it could have clearly saved lives and property. Keep up the good work FROC, at least your consistent!

Edited November 9, 2011 by FOODLOVER

[slapout]

One NGO was quoted as saying that the toilet paper was charged at double what they were paying for the same item. It should not take a committee to determine what the items in the 3 different relief bags are, their cost either wholesale/retail, and that is the first clue to this allegation. As mentioned 3 relief bags with different quantities and contents is a sure way to muddle the procedure for distribution.

Why is this procedure not surprising, when you look at those in charge, their statements, conclusions, and suggestion over the past few weeks? If this is any indication of how the rehabilitation, cleanup, dispersing of funds, and correcting the whole drainage system as has been proposed, Thailand should be a lost cause for private/foreign aid consideration.

[tominbkk]

They had a drop in the donations because donators were sick of seeing relief packs going out from FROC stamped with Thaksin's and other red shirt personality's names on them. As well, when FROC hoarded supplies at the airport many people lost confidence in their integrity and honesty.

There are plenty of other ways to donate, don't rely on the corrupt FROC administration to do it.

[atyclb]

The presumption "innocent until proven guilty" Thai version "Corrupt unless proven otherwise"

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I wouldn't give FROC a "red" nickel, so to speak, given their track record thus far.

[Bakseedaa]

The presumption "innocent until proven guilty" Thai version "Corrupt unless proven otherwise"

In Thailand the presumtion is quite the opposite, Guilty until proven otherwise..! up to the individual to prove his innocence. Ask fugitive Thaksin..

[Buchholz]

I wouldn't give FROC a "red" nickel, so to speak, given their track record thus far.

Agreed.

I'm not sure if this the appropriate forum to ask, but i don' t know where else i should post:

A couple of friends from europe / usa asked me, where they can donate for flood victims. Obviousely they have some doupts towards FROC, so they just want to make sure that

- the money will be used for the victims

- the donations are not used in a political context

Does somebody here have suggestions for appropriate & trustworthy organisations?

Thank you.

Highly recommended:

http://www.redcross.or.th/old/english/home/index.php

Full details on donations at their website above.

Highly NOT recommended:

[Artisi]

The presumption "innocent until proven guilty" Thai version "Corrupt unless proven otherwise"

In Thailand the presumtion is quite the opposite, Guilty until proven otherwise..! up to the individual to prove his innocence. Ask fugitive Thaksin..

You just can't help yourself, can you?

Do you really believe that the whole world rotates around one single fugitive sitting on his fat a_rse with dry feet in absolute comfort?

[OzMick]

The presumption "innocent until proven guilty" Thai version "Corrupt unless proven otherwise"

"Corrupt unless proven otherwise" has stood me in good stead in the time I have spent in this country. Up to you I suppose, but my Thai friends consider me over-trusting, naive and gullible (or so they say).

[siampolee]

Artisi # 9

Do you really believe that the whole world rotates around one single fugitive sitting on his fat a_rse with dry feet in absolute comfort?

There currently is in place a government staffed by Brother No.1's selected family members and his and the family brown nosing acolytes put together in a grand act of self serving patronage and nepotism by Brother No.1 intent on the sole action of returning Brother No.1. to power

Indeed a dedicated governmental action which revolves around one single fugitive sitting on his fat a_rse with dry feet in absolute comfort.

Edited November 9, 2011 by siampolee

[rubl]

Rumour has it the contents of the relief bags diminished when the FROC started asking for proper invoices and VAT declaration

[lujanit]

Rumour has it the contents of the relief bags diminished when the FROC started asking for proper invoices and VAT declaration

Just another rumour. Facts are pretty thin on the ground with this government

[hyundai10]

So a "source, who asked not to be named" tries now to play the ball back and claims the accusations were not substantiated?

First of all, if the FROC asks other parties to substantiate their claims, they should not communicate via "unnamed sources" to media outlets, but through a verifiable spokesperson.

Secondly, i think it would help FROC's reputation, if they were just able to counter the accusations & publish their records of purchased & distributed goods.

The people who raise the accusations have no records of goods bought, etc... what can they substantiate, except to look at a bag & compare it with the retail price?

Edited November 9, 2011 by hyundai10

[TAWP]

Since they have disposed of all evidence it is hard to substantiate it any longer...

[Buchholz]

Graft charge not substantiated: FROC

It appears they ARE substantiated....

DSI finds corruption in flood-relief bag procurement

BANGKOK, 9 January 2012 (NNT) – The Department of Special Investigation or DSI’s probe into an alleged flood-relief bag procurement corruption found 10 officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) involved.

DSI Director-General Tarit Pengdit revealed the findings of an investigation undertaken by the Department into an alleged corruption in the process of flood-relief bag procurement. He stated that a team of interrogation officers, led by DSI Deputy Director-General Police Colonel Eknarat Sawettanan, discovered that 10 DDPM officials had acted in favour of two private companies.

This action is in violation of Article 157 of the criminal code regarding misconduct in office.

Thus, the DSI has prepared a case file and forwarded it to the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to launch further legal actions against these state officials since the DSI itself has no authority to do so.

At the same time, the DSI also reported the results of its investigation to Interior Permanent Secretary Pranai Suwannarat, who would consider whether a disciplinary committee should be set up.

The DSI said it would continue to look further into the case to see if the two alleged companies have actually been involved in price collusion.

If it found any evidence related to the procurement, the DSI would treat it as a special case.

As for further allegations that a high ranking DDPM official had acted in favour of these two private companies contracted to provide the DDPM with flood-relief packages, the DSI found no evidence supporting the accusation.

-- NNT 2011-01-09

[JurgenG]

Political machinations could be at play as the politician and the media outlet that raised the issue of alleged corruption in the procurement of flood-relief bags have refused to provide information to an investigation panel

The source, who asked not to be named, said Democrat Party deputy spokesman Sakoltee Phattiyakul, who first raised suspicion that the items in flood-relief bags were cheaper than the FROC's reported prices, and the editor of the ASTV Manager newspaper had refused to provide information when summoned to do so.

Why am I not surprised ? The usual suspects when it comes to lies and fabrication

Actually the only thing that still surprises me is how people are so gullible to still trust these sources

[whybother]

Political machinations could be at play as the politician and the media outlet that raised the issue of alleged corruption in the procurement of flood-relief bags have refused to provide information to an investigation panel

The source, who asked not to be named, said Democrat Party deputy spokesman Sakoltee Phattiyakul, who first raised suspicion that the items in flood-relief bags were cheaper than the FROC's reported prices, and the editor of the ASTV Manager newspaper had refused to provide information when summoned to do so.

Why am I not surprised ? The usual suspects when it comes to lies and fabrication

Actually the only thing that still surprises me is how people are so gullible to still trust these sources

Keep up.

The Department of Special Investigation or DSI’s probe into an alleged flood-relief bag procurement corruption found 10 officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) involved.

[Buchholz]

Political machinations could be at play as the politician and the media outlet that raised the issue of alleged corruption in the procurement of flood-relief bags have refused to provide information to an investigation panel

The source, who asked not to be named, said Democrat Party deputy spokesman Sakoltee Phattiyakul, who first raised suspicion that the items in flood-relief bags were cheaper than the FROC's reported prices, and the editor of the ASTV Manager newspaper had refused to provide information when summoned to do so.

Why am I not surprised ? The usual suspects when it comes to lies and fabrication

Actually the only thing that still surprises me is how people are so gullible to still trust these sources

Keep up.

The Department of Special Investigation or DSI’s probe into an alleged flood-relief bag procurement corruption found 10 officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) involved.

It still surprises me is how people are so gullible to still trust the government to not be corrupt at every turn.

Any bets that Pheu Thai Party MP and Red Shirt Leader Karun is involved in some way?

.

Edited January 9, 2012 by Buchholz

[JurgenG]

Political machinations could be at play as the politician and the media outlet that raised the issue of alleged corruption in the procurement of flood-relief bags have refused to provide information to an investigation panel

The source, who asked not to be named, said Democrat Party deputy spokesman Sakoltee Phattiyakul, who first raised suspicion that the items in flood-relief bags were cheaper than the FROC's reported prices, and the editor of the ASTV Manager newspaper had refused to provide information when summoned to do so.

Why am I not surprised ? The usual suspects when it comes to lies and fabrication

Actually the only thing that still surprises me is how people are so gullible to still trust these sources

Keep up.

The Department of Special Investigation or DSI’s probe into an alleged flood-relief bag procurement corruption found 10 officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) involved.

Selective editing

A couple of low ranking corrupted officials doesn't mean the organization is corrupt. Please read until the end :

As for further allegations that a high ranking DDPM official had acted in favour of these two private companies contracted to provide the DDPM with flood-relief packages, the DSI found no evidence supporting the accusation.

Edited January 9, 2012 by JurgenG

[whybother]

Selective reading

As for further allegations that a high ranking DDPM official had acted in favour of these two private companies contracted to provide the DDPM with flood-relief packages, the DSI found no evidence supporting the accusation.

The DSI found that officials in FROC were involved in corruption, which is what the Democrat spokesman had suggested.

[JurgenG]

Any bets that Pheu Thai Party MP and Red Shirt Leader Karun is involved in some way?

.

And some more allegations without any supporting evidence.

As usual I should add.

[whybother]

And some more allegations without any supporting evidence.

As usual I should add.

The Democrat spokesman got it right. Maybe Buchholz will get it right too.

[Buchholz]

Any bets that Pheu Thai Party MP and Red Shirt Leader Karun is involved in some way?

.

And some more allegations without any supporting evidence.

As usual I should add.

He's been involved in violence, corruption, intimidation, misappropriation, overuse of authority, fraud, etc.

While it is just speculation, it's not that much of a stretch in the least.

.

Edited January 9, 2012 by Buchholz

[hellodolly]

Political machinations could be at play as the politician and the media outlet that raised the issue of alleged corruption in the procurement of flood-relief bags have refused to provide information to an investigation panel

The source, who asked not to be named, said Democrat Party deputy spokesman Sakoltee Phattiyakul, who first raised suspicion that the items in flood-relief bags were cheaper than the FROC's reported prices, and the editor of the ASTV Manager newspaper had refused to provide information when summoned to do so.

Why am I not surprised ? The usual suspects when it comes to lies and fabrication

Actually the only thing that still surprises me is how people are so gullible to still trust these sources

What is surprising is that people are gullible enough to listen to you.

I see you think you are being clever by taking a post from November the ninth and applying it to today January the ninth in spite of new evidence.

Your attempt to make the PT innocent is at the best pitiful. New evidence arises and you try to cover it up with misdirection.

Now that I think of it I was being generous with Pitiful.