Bangkok 'Not Permitted' To Extend Skytrain Concession

[webfact]

SKY TRAINS

BMA 'not permitted' to extend BTS concession

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Interior Ministry has never given permission to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to extend the Skytrain concession, Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit was cited as saying.

A Department of Special Investigation source said yesterday that Yongyuth, also deputy prime minister, made the denial in response to a DSI query.

This would mean that, under a coup-enabled rule, the BMA had acted illegally in granting the extension to BTS, the operator of the Skytrain. The BMA has insisted that it was authorised to extend the management contract and the DSI's decision to use a decades-old rule against the city was unfair and discriminatory.

The city has also threatened to file a complaint with the Central Administrative Court against the DSI's efforts to make the matter a criminal case.

The DSI will submit Yongyuth's answer at a meeting of the Special Case Committee on September 7. The panel is expected to decide whether the BMA appeared to be criminally liable for the move and assign the case to the DSI for further investigation.

-- The Nation 2012-08-07

[yougivemebaby]

<deleted>? LOL

[Katipo]

Does anyone want to start taking bets on whether greed and stupidity causes a temporary halt to BTS services at some point in the near future? I'd like to think it won't happen, but then I'd have never imagined airport closures due to water mismanagement and sit-ins.

[MunterHunter]

The red government will do anything to cause harm to a Democrat, it doesn't matter if it hurts the country and/or the public along the way, that's simply collateral damage.

This case is vindictive.

/Edit: If PTP/Reds win the Bangkok Governor election - watch this case get dropped faster than the proverbial hot potato!

Edited August 7, 2012 by MunterHunter

[zakk9]

The sky-train had great promise. Now, everybody in charge seem to do their outmost milk that cow for whatever it's worth, and destroy a great public transport system. Time to look for another dwelling thinks I...

[BigRick]

The only that comes to mind is the song from New Jack City Living for money! Money money mon ney! Money!

[phiphidon]

The red government will do anything to cause harm to a Democrat, it doesn't matter if it hurts the country and/or the public along the way, that's simply collateral damage.

This case is vindictive.

/Edit: If PTP/Reds win the Bangkok Governor election - watch this case get dropped faster than the proverbial hot potato!

It couldn't possibly be the potential for corruption then that has got the DSI interested?

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is preparing a report to clear any questions about its decision to award a Bt190billion contract to the current operator of Skytrain system, BTSC, without calling for any bidding or consulting with the central government.

http://nationmultimedia.com/national/BMA-report-to-clear-any-questions-on-BTS-deal-30182189.html

It seems as if the DSI have been fair about providing all parties involved with time to back up their claims

DSI Chief Tharit Pengdit said that the DSI move follows the Pheu Thai party’s petition to probe the BTS’s contract renewal with the BMA, and also comes after the Minister of Interior’s affirmation that the BMA is not authorized to renew the contract. He said the DSI’s investigating panel agreed that all parties involved which include the BMA, the BTS Group and Krungthep Thanakom should be provided with an opportunity to clarify reasons of the contract extension.

Mr Tharit elaborated that the three agencies have been asked to submit their clarification in writing to the DSI by June 18. The statements will be forwarded to the DSI committee for further deliberation.

http://thaifinancialpost.com/2012/06/07/dsi-questions-bma-on-renewal-of-bts-contract/

Let's not beat about the bush, if a "coup enabled rule" is legitimate enough to convict a former PM, a "coup enabled rule" is legitimate enough to prove the BMA were acting illegally. You don't get to cherrypick the situations. So I presume we'll hear no more about "vindictive" cases..............

[MunterHunter]

The red government will do anything to cause harm to a Democrat, it doesn't matter if it hurts the country and/or the public along the way, that's simply collateral damage.

This case is vindictive.

/Edit: If PTP/Reds win the Bangkok Governor election - watch this case get dropped faster than the proverbial hot potato!

It couldn't possibly be the potential for corruption then that has got the DSI interested?

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is preparing a report to clear any questions about its decision to award a Bt190billion contract to the current operator of Skytrain system, BTSC, without calling for any bidding or consulting with the central government.

http://nationmultime...l-30182189.html

It seems as if the DSI have been fair about providing all parties involved with time to back up their claims

DSI Chief Tharit Pengdit said that the DSI move follows the Pheu Thai party’s petition to probe the BTS’s contract renewal with the BMA, and also comes after the Minister of Interior’s affirmation that the BMA is not authorized to renew the contract. He said the DSI’s investigating panel agreed that all parties involved which include the BMA, the BTS Group and Krungthep Thanakom should be provided with an opportunity to clarify reasons of the contract extension.

Mr Tharit elaborated that the three agencies have been asked to submit their clarification in writing to the DSI by June 18. The statements will be forwarded to the DSI committee for further deliberation.

http://thaifinancial...f-bts-contract/

Let's not beat about the bush, if a "coup enabled rule" is legitimate enough to convict a former PM, a "coup enabled rule" is legitimate enough to prove the BMA were acting illegally. You don't get to cherrypick the situations. So I presume we'll hear no more about "vindictive" cases..............

I stand corrected... the PTP team are jelous they didnt get a stab at the money... gotit

[slapout]

What I think is telling about the whole Thai government/system is that any legal aspect to projects/decrees/action is not considered prior to stepping into the sh.t. Many of the politicians, cabinet members claim to be law school alumni, but seem to need the judical system to determine legality of their actions/proposals.

This indicates that they may be unteachable, stupid, or just do not give a rats arse as to the legality of their actions.

[yourauntbob]

Does anyone want to start taking bets on whether greed and stupidity causes a temporary halt to BTS services at some point in the near future? I'd like to think it won't happen, but then I'd have never imagined airport closures due to water mismanagement and sit-ins.

If there ever was a sure thing, that would be it.

[yougivemebaby]

They took their sweet time with their special investigation. Maybe after profits were posted ?!?

Goes to show anyone who is dumb enough to have a business bigger than a little bar in Los will get someone to financially violate them in the end ! ((snicker))

[WhizBang]

Does anyone want to start taking bets on whether greed and stupidity causes a temporary halt to BTS services at some point in the near future? I'd like to think it won't happen, but then I'd have never imagined airport closures due to water mismanagement and sit-ins.

Yup, my thoughts exactly. Either that or the efficient BTS will slowly get eaten away and we will be left with a totally inefficient shadow of it's former self.

It's all about the money and the in your face greed of Thai politicians. Absolutely shameful. Except no Thai appears to understand the concept of shame.

[WhizBang]

This indicates that they may be unteachable, stupid, or just do not give a rats arse as to the legality of their actions.

Or perhaps, ALL of the above.

[bendejo]

Sounds like some people didn't get their envelopes, or found the contents insufficient.

Next time you're near MBK check out the art museum across the road. There is a big chart of what Bangkok's transit system would be like, the title is "If There Was No Corruption." On the other hand, maybe they had to take it down.

[Katipo]

Does anyone want to start taking bets on whether greed and stupidity causes a temporary halt to BTS services at some point in the near future? I'd like to think it won't happen, but then I'd have never imagined airport closures due to water mismanagement and sit-ins.

Yup, my thoughts exactly. Either that or the efficient BTS will slowly get eaten away and we will be left with a totally inefficient shadow of it's former self.

It's all about the money and the in your face greed of Thai politicians. Absolutely shameful. Except no Thai appears to understand the concept of shame.

Yes & no. Policitians feel no shame for their for their wrongful actions. Yet if you draw attention to these actions, they will deny them and accuse you of being the one to bring shame to them. Yeah, I know. <deleted>!

[Pseudolus]

Should have paid more in bribes and extortion then.

[infernalman7]

I don't mean to offence anyone but it seems a lot of people here on ThaiVisa don't have any clue about the separation of powers and duties in Thailand.

There are laws such as PPP, and limitations to what the local jurisdiction can and cannot do.

Sure there are biases at play, but the Dems got this one wrong this time. If the Dems were in the central government, the DSI wouldn't dare touch anything.

[draftvader]

For me it always sticks out as a bad decision from day one. The original cost was low comparative to the alternatives. When you look now at the costs (materials, land acquisition (even with the lowering of land values by tactical flooding) and construction timescales causing a knock-on cost for the economy in lost man-hours spent stuck in increased traffic through the unbearably long construction timescales) you realise that the mono-rail system adopted by KL has its advantages. Increasing the network size takes a fraction of the time and is MUCH less of an eye-sore. Sure the initial cost was massive by comparison /km but the lifespan of the supporting medium is far higher, the noise pollution lower, the environmental impact less, full automation a reality and the ongoing expansion far more cost-effective.

Another case of a decision being made on the "here and now" with scant regard for tomorrow.

[belg]

thailand wants high speed train, but an extention of an existing line is not even "possible"....

[easybullet3]

it will just be a whopping fine that the BTS has to pay to some officials.

[stefb1964]

Thailand is like a box of chocolates...

[jerrysteve]

I do believe the Horse is already out of the Barn! fluba dub dub.

[khunken]

The red government will do anything to cause harm to a Democrat, it doesn't matter if it hurts the country and/or the public along the way, that's simply collateral damage.

This case is vindictive.

/Edit: If PTP/Reds win the Bangkok Governor election - watch this case get dropped faster than the proverbial hot potato!

It couldn't possibly be the potential for corruption then that has got the DSI interested?

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is preparing a report to clear any questions about its decision to award a Bt190billion contract to the current operator of Skytrain system, BTSC, without calling for any bidding or consulting with the central government.

http://nationmultime...l-30182189.html

It seems as if the DSI have been fair about providing all parties involved with time to back up their claims

DSI Chief Tharit Pengdit said that the DSI move follows the Pheu Thai party’s petition to probe the BTS’s contract renewal with the BMA, and also comes after the Minister of Interior’s affirmation that the BMA is not authorized to renew the contract. He said the DSI’s investigating panel agreed that all parties involved which include the BMA, the BTS Group and Krungthep Thanakom should be provided with an opportunity to clarify reasons of the contract extension.

Mr Tharit elaborated that the three agencies have been asked to submit their clarification in writing to the DSI by June 18. The statements will be forwarded to the DSI committee for further deliberation.

http://thaifinancial...f-bts-contract/

Let's not beat about the bush, if a "coup enabled rule" is legitimate enough to convict a former PM, a "coup enabled rule" is legitimate enough to prove the BMA were acting illegally. You don't get to cherrypick the situations. So I presume we'll hear no more about "vindictive" cases..............

First, outside the topic but the conviction of Thaksin was nothing to do with the coup - it was a conflict of interest conviction & it's a pity that you have to continue the Thaksinistas propaganda.

When Thaksin was PM he refused to sanction the BTS extension across the river so the BMA took it on and successfully finished it. This is pure vindictiveness, no doubt on his instructions, to tarnish the Dem-run BMA. Note who filed the complaint.

[slapout]

Thai politics over the past decade does appear to have taken a turn downward, setting new lows in human behavior. It almost appears to be a bitch slapping contest when a new leader/group comes to power, with the goal being, "put the opposition in their place"

While promiseing that revenge is not in the future plan, it sure appears to be part of the current as well as past establishments. Responsible adult behavior, seems to be an overlooked requirement for many of those in charge and few seem to display that character in their personal nor professional activities.

[siampolee]

Remember how the government of the day squeezed the Hopewell Project ?

In the end the commission cost to assorted interested self enriching politician's and assorted public servants strangled the project.

The company pulled the plug and walked away.

The ruins are still there as a memorial to corruption and greed by the politicians and the public servants of the time.

Don't let's kid ourselves that this current maladministration is any different to the one in place at the time of the Hopewell Project .

Money matters to the politicians both those that reside here and those who choose to reside abroad.

The current spat concerning the B.T.S. is nothing more than first, a desperate scramble by some to get their grubby little paws on the money.and secondly, a politically vindictive action.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok_Elevated_Road_and_Train_System

Edited August 7, 2012 by siampolee

[GeorgeO]

What I think is telling about the whole Thai government/system is that any legal aspect to projects/decrees/action is not considered prior to stepping into the sh.t. Many of the politicians, cabinet members claim to be law school alumni, but seem to need the judical system to determine legality of their actions/proposals.

This indicates that they may be unteachable, stupid, or just do not give a rats arse as to the legality of their actions.

This simply harps back to what I've always said: the word "consequences" does not exist in the Thai vocabulary!

[hellodolly]

The red government will do anything to cause harm to a Democrat, it doesn't matter if it hurts the country and/or the public along the way, that's simply collateral damage.

This case is vindictive.

/Edit: If PTP/Reds win the Bangkok Governor election - watch this case get dropped faster than the proverbial hot potato!

I think it has some thing to do with Bangkok under a Democratic government being more realistic in the flood crises. Maybe if they had used the occasion to enrich their coffers such as many in the PT did they would not be getting stepped n so hard.

Typical Thaksin politics.

[Greer]

For me it always sticks out as a bad decision from day one. The original cost was low comparative to the alternatives. When you look now at the costs (materials, land acquisition (even with the lowering of land values by tactical flooding) and construction timescales causing a knock-on cost for the economy in lost man-hours spent stuck in increased traffic through the unbearably long construction timescales) you realise that the mono-rail system adopted by KL has its advantages. Increasing the network size takes a fraction of the time and is MUCH less of an eye-sore. Sure the initial cost was massive by comparison /km but the lifespan of the supporting medium is far higher, the noise pollution lower, the environmental impact less, full automation a reality and the ongoing expansion far more cost-effective.

Another case of a decision being made on the "here and now" with scant regard for tomorrow.

Sorry but the mono-rail in KL is an absolute waste of time - its probably ok at any time EXCEPT peak hours when the queses are enormous and the trains (each with 2 carriages) carry a small fraction of the required load. Many friends who live there dont like it. They also have the light rail system which is very similar to the BTS, and works well, although train frequency is much lower than here with the BTS or even the MRT systems.

[Estrada]

The red government will do anything to cause harm to a Democrat, it doesn't matter if it hurts the country and/or the public along the way, that's simply collateral damage.

This case is vindictive.

/Edit: If PTP/Reds win the Bangkok Governor election - watch this case get dropped faster than the proverbial hot potato!

Quite right! This is a delaying tactic so that if PTP wins the Election they can benefit from the monies from the extension of contract. If they lose, they are still looking for some kind of incentive or to take over the mass transit systems from the BMA.