'DSI pushed in row over Skytrain'

THANATPONG KONGSAI,

PIYANUCH THAMNUKASETCHAI

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Some politicians must have influenced the Department of Special Investigation (DSI)'s intervention into the contract awarded to the current operator of the Skytrain system, an adviser to Deputy Bangkok Governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon said yesterday.

"The DSI chief is now trying hard to bring granting of the contract under the DSI's jurisdiction.

[such pressure's] very likely because political office holders are preparing the annual reshuffle of officials," Asawas Apaiwong said.

He was speaking in response to DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit's media claim that Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, in his capacity as interior minister, had insisted the decision to grant the contract lay with him, not the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) or its legal investment arm, Krungthep Thanakom (KT).

BMA and KT plunged into controversy after awarding a 30-year contract, worth Bt190 billion, to the current operators of BTSC and the Skytrain system. BMA has described it as a contract, not an extension of the concession BTSC had been holding. At the helm of BMA now is a prominent member of the Democrat Party, MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra.

Pheu Thai Party members have vigorously attacked the contract. In response to a complaint filed by Pheu Thai MPs, the DSI has investigated alleged irregularities in the contract. Accused of wrongdoing are Sukhumbhand, Thirachon and many more officials.

"I think DSI will [continue to create an air of scandal] over this case, probably until the next gubernatorial election is held," Asawas said.

"The purpose is to discredit certain politicians."

According to Tharit, the BMA, KT and BTSC will be asked to provide further explanation about the deal, after which the DSI board will rule whether to bring this case under its jurisdiction.

-- The Nation 2012-08-08

What a Joke, But I feel like crying. Greedy <snip>.

Edited August 8, 201213 yr by soundman
In future; no excessive profanity.

"Accused of wrongdoing are Sukhumbhand, Thirachon and many more officials."

So what.

Sukhumbhand cannot be sue as there is a higher law against such action.

It is a real pity seeing the DSI selling out to the highest bidder/political persuasion to save job appointment.

These were the guys we were supposed to be able to trust to clean the filth from the sewers of parliament/public service.

Edited August 8, 201213 yr by RogueExpat

It is a real pity seeing the DSI selling out to the highest bidder/political persuasion to save job appointment.

These were the guys we were supposed to be able to trust to clean the filth from the sewers of parliament/public service.

Did Mark congratulate DSI for doing a good job charging (almost) all Red Shirts as terrorist?

It is a real pity seeing the DSI selling out to the highest bidder/political persuasion to save job appointment.

These were the guys we were supposed to be able to trust to clean the filth from the sewers of parliament/public service.

Did Mark congratulate DSI for doing a good job charging (almost) all Red Shirts as terrorist?

Wouldn't know, however, they appear to have missed, probably through jurisdictional issues, the main terrorist, the one who kick started it all and micro managed it on a a day to day basis from afar, some of the most bloody violence this country has witnessed in recent years.

Oh I forgot, he was charged in absentia, but wait..... It doesn't count. It is a politically motivated charge.

Leave the skytrain alone!!

Everything in the country is either money related or politically motivated.

It would be nice if they people in charge actually helped the people the were elected by.

It is a real pity seeing the DSI selling out to the highest bidder/political persuasion to save job appointment.

These were the guys we were supposed to be able to trust to clean the filth from the sewers of parliament/public service.

Did Mark congratulate DSI for doing a good job charging (almost) all Red Shirts as terrorist?

Why would you want to congratulate a department that only works for the ones that are in power? I guess Tharit was just "doing his job".

contract worht 190 billion baht... 20 % graft money, that is 38 billion baht to be spent on new villa's, condo's, benzes and mia noi's