Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand, Three Others Named In Complaints: Skytrain

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Sukhumbhand, three others named in complaints

ANAPAT DEECHUAY

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai MPs yesterday filed a complaint against Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra and three other people to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) over a controversial contract recently granted to the current operator of the Skytrain system.

The 30-year contract is worth about Bt190 billion. Also named in the complaint were Deputy Bangkok Governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon, Krungthep Thanakhom Co Ltd (KT) chairman Praphanpong Vejjajiva and KT president Amorn Kitchawengkul.

They were included because the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) awarded the contract to the operator, BTSC, via KT, which is the BMA's legal investment arm.

"They deliberately tried to evade four laws including the Public-Private Partnerships Act," Pheu Thai Bangkok MP Jirayu Huangsap said.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit showed up at the NACC headquarters alongside Jirayu.

"We want the NACC to look into this contract," he said.

Prompong said the BMA-arranged contract is clearly suspicious, because the BTSC - which won the 30-year concession to operate the original 23.5-km Skytrain network - cannot be granted a contract extension without prior approval from a minister. But the BMA managed to evade laws and rules by preparing the contract via KT. Under the recently granted contract, BTSC will continue to provide operations and maintenance services on the original network for an additional 13 years after its 30-year concession expires in 2030.

The new contract covers three Skytrain extension routes in which the BMA itself invested. Their combined length is about 12.75 kilometres. All these newer routes are and will be operated and maintained by the BTSC, according to the contract, for the next three decades.

NACC assistant secretary-general Wittaya Arkompitak yesterday accepted the complaint from the Pheu Thai MPs.

Last week, the Pheu Thai MPs asked the Department of Special Investigation to probe the case.

Today, they will also call on the House anti-corruption committee to take action.

"[Tomorrow]On Thursday, we will ask the interior minister to look into the alleged irregularities too," Prompong said.

Jirayu believed Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva should look into the alleged irregularities.

Sukhumbhand, who leads the BMA, is a prominent member of the Democrat Party. Praphanpong is a relative of Abhisit.

Jirayu believed the amount of money promised to the BTSC via the contract was too high for the services.

"If the BMA really thinks the contract will benefit Bangkokians, why doesn't it lower the Skytrain-ride fare now?" the Pheu Thai MP said.

Though on the average the contract will require the BMA, via KT, to pay about Bt6.33 billion to BTSC each year for the next three decades, the BMA maintains that the contract will deliver long-term benefits including efficient integration of the mass-transport system in the capital.

The goal of this 30-year contract, the BMA has said, is to lower the operating costs of mass-transport services in the capital.

-- The Nation 2012-05-16

[clockman]

As i have said before, Thailand has only reached the development stage. Of the Robber Barons. A long way to go yet. To be classed as a developed country!

[sparebox2]

Cannot sue MR. Sukhumbhand, else you go to jail for LM 112.

[jonclark]

I think those three little piggies are upset because they didn't get any of the pie.

[Nigel1500]

Times are a changin' guys. Your palms aren't going to be greased anymore, so pull your head in before it gets crushed by progress.

[animatic]

They have made the noise and now must back it with a photo op and the paperwork.

About the only growth industry in Shinawatraland is Lawyers.