Thai Interior Ministry Official Denies Graft In Flood Projects

[webfact]

Official denies graft in flood projects

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A deputy permanent secretary from the Interior Ministry denied yesterday that he had told an opposition MP that the ministry's flood-prevention projects were hounded by rampant corruption.

"I did testify before the House panel and did acknowledge reports about corruption, but all the projects have not been approved and no payments have been made. Less than half of the projects have progressed," Pracha Terat said.

He claimed that certain "middlemen", allegedly high-ranking officials at provincial authorities, tried to secure projects in exchange for a 35-per-cent commission. So far, a budget of Bt120 billion has been approved for the projects.

"Upon learning about this, Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit warned all provincial governors to not be 'baited by middlemen'," he said.

Pracha said such corruption was commonplace in government projects, though levelling graft allegations against the Interior Ministry and citing his position was damaging. He did not elaborate.

According to reports, Pracha had told Democrat MP Charnchai Issarasenarak, a member of the House sub-committee on budget spending and management, that governors in several provinces earned up to 35 per cent in commission from contractors after securing projects for them.

Meanwhile, PM Yingluck Shinawatra said she would go on a nationwide inspection tour later this month to check on the progress of flood-prevention projects, many of which are believed to be behind schedule. "Projects in headwater areas in the North that need to be completed first have been especially slow because of the red tape," she said. "Completed projects are being audited and evaluated by universities and their reports will be released soon."

-- The Nation 2012-05-10

[OzMick]

Corruption in the department - who you gunna call? Jatuporn of course!

Anybody who becomes a millionaire while working as a political activist must know a great deal bout corruption.

[GilesPeach]

Well they aren't exactly going to say "dam_n, you caught us. Yes, we are corrupt. Sorry", are they?

[haveaniceday]

Meanwhile, PM Yingluck Shinawatra said she would go on a nationwide inspection tour later this month to check on the progress of flood-prevention projects

So I presume there must be some planned for Parliament during that time frame then?

[bigbamboo]

So what action will be taken against these high ranking provincial officials who were caught trying to cream off 35 per cent of government funds?

I guess it depends on how well connected they are.

[rubl]

Less than half of the projects have progressed," Pracha Terat said.

...

PM Yingluck Shinawatra said she would go on a nationwide inspection tour later this month to check on the progress of flood-prevention projects, many of which are believed to be behind schedule.

...

"Completed projects are being audited and evaluated by universities and their reports will be released soon."

Somehow this seems to imply that the universities will not have many projects to audit/evaluate. I will note the 'reports released soon' on my list of things to be checked later. Maybe we can have or hear more when the Yingluck government will tell us about their accomplishments in the first nine months?

[RogueExpat]

He claimed that certain "middlemen", allegedly high-ranking officials at provincial authorities, tried to secure projects in exchange for a 35-per-cent commission. So far, a budget of Bt120 billion has been approved for the projects.

"Upon learning about this, Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit warned all provincial governors to not be 'baited by middlemen'," he said.

Blame it on the middlemen. Absolute bullshitting <deleted>.

It is the Governers themsleves that control every step of the money from "buying project value" from the National coffers (where the under the table money is kept by the ministry concerned ), to the costing of the job (buying off the engineers who provide the scope of works, BOQ's and pass {usually highly inflated} unit costs throught the auditor's office), to shortlisting 2 or 3 preferencial contractors to do the work (who are trustworthy enough to kick back the agreed amount ), to controlling the other contractors who did not get a look in (closed shop biddding) on the good jobs by either throwing them some crumbs, or at the end of a gun barrel.

Governor = Jao Por Jungwat.

[vijer]

"I did testify before the House panel and did acknowledge reports about corruption, but all the projects have not been approved and no payments have been made. Less than half of the projects have progressed," Pracha Terat said.

Didn't I read in a post a few days back where the PM said they were finishing up the flood prevention projects?!? That was BS of course as it would be pretty tough to secure the 210 Billion Baht and spend it in 4 months let alone actually spend it on useful and completed projects that would prevent flooding.

[TeddyFlyfisherDavis]

This is a BS lip service joke right...? Who the hell are they kidding...?