D S I To Charge Bangkok Officials Over Bt190Bn Deal: Skytrain Controversy

[webfact]

SKYTRAIN CONTROVERSY

DSI to charge city officials over Bt190-bn deal with BTSC

Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai,

Thanatpong Kongsai

The Nation

Execs of BMA, KT and Skytrain operator accused of bypassing govt

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is preparing to charge top executives of the city administration with malfeasance in the awarding of a Bt190-billion contract to the Skytrain operator, while the accused are scrambling to prepare their defence.

"It's clear the suspects have violated a -coup order giving the authority to make decisions on the rail-based system to the Interior Ministry or the interior minister," Pol Lt-Colonel Tawan Mangkang, head of the DSI's investigations, said yesterday.

After examining the evidence, public prosecutors approved the summoning of the executives to acknowledge the charges, he said.

Accused of illegally bypassing the interior minister in granting the 30-year contract are executives of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), its investment arm Krungthep Thanakom and the Skytrain operator BTSC.

Tawan said the crimes did not carry serious penalties, but if the contract were to be cancelled, BTSC's business prospects would be bleak.

Bangkok City Clerk Ninnart Chalitanon said the BTSC contract was prepared in accordance with the BMA Act of 1985. The interior minister's involvement was required only in cases concerning concessions, the clerk said. "But this is not a concession. It's a contract to hire," she said.

It was not clear why the DSI was intervening, as such a case should go to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Ninnart said.

"We have already submitted our explanation on the contract to the NACC," she said.

The DSI started looking into the contract after some members of the ruling Pheu Thai Party lodged a complaint that the 30-year deal is nothing more than an extension of BTSC's Skytrain concession.

Politicians in the opposition Democrat Party - a prominent member of which, MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, helms the BMA - have lambasted the DSI's move as politically motivated.

Amorn Kitchawengkul, managing director of Krungthep Thanakom (KT) and one of the accused, said that since the Special Case Committee decided to act on this complaint, he had never had an opportunity to testify or submit documents.

"I'm surprised that the DSI will be calling me in to face the charge," he said.

According to a source, Deputy Bangkok Governor Teerachon Manomaipiboon held an all-day meeting with executives of the BMA, KT and BTSC, as well as members of their legal teams.

"They're preparing evidence. They want to submit it to the DSI on January 2," the source said.

-- The Nation 2012-12-28

[ratcatcher]

"Politicians in the opposition Democrat Party - a prominent member of which, MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, helms the BMA - have lambasted the DSI's move as politically motivated."

You're joking?

Edited December 27, 2012 by ratcatcher

[backtonormal]

I think 1 billion of this was stuffed in the wardrobe of that ministers house. Agreed it is politically motivated but what would you call over 400 LM cases in the last 12 months of the Abhisit regime.

[waza]

At least some good is coming from this dirty business

[whybother]

I think 1 billion of this was stuffed in the wardrobe of that ministers house. Agreed it is politically motivated but what would you call over 400 LM cases in the last 12 months of the Abhisit regime.

Exaggerating there on the LM cases aren't you?

Edited December 28, 2012 by whybother

[OzMick]

As this prosecution is based on post-coup legislation, can we expect those who declare anything related to the coup as evil to now heartily defend the BMA?

Edited December 28, 2012 by OzMick

[Pib]

Tawan said the crimes did not carry serious penalties, but if the contract were to be cancelled, BTSC's business prospects would be bleak.

And any tea money paid to get the contract has already been paid...I expect that amount will more than cover whatever small penalties are issued, probably something along a 10,000 baht fine and a suspended slap on the hand.

[whybother]

I think 1 billion of this was stuffed in the wardrobe of that ministers house. Agreed it is politically motivated but what would you call over 400 LM cases in the last 12 months of the Abhisit regime.

Exaggerating there on the LM cases aren't you?

For the record, there were 478 cases from 2006 to 2011.

[geriatrickid]

Democrat party administration. Perhaps this explains Mr. Abhisit's silence on the issue.

[whybother]

Democrat party administration. Perhaps this explains Mr. Abhisit's silence on the issue.

Yingluck has been quiet on the issue too. Even Chalerm has been silent on the issue. Jatuporn hasn't said anything either.

[LuckyLew]

DSI seems to be doing a lot of work lately

Something does not smell right

Lot of Dems and yellow shirts entering the docket

IMO it is all politically motivated ... DSI now wears red and PTP undershirts

[muttley]

DSI seems to be doing a lot of work lately

Something does not smell right

Lot of Dems and yellow shirts entering the docket

IMO it is all politically motivated ... DSI now wears red and PTP undershirts

Do you disbelieve that the Democrat Party members and PAD personnel may have committed offenses, that they are incapable of doing so? I'm aware that some people think that but maybe the chickens are coming home to roost at last.

It's not a contemporary phenomena - PAD Leaders were found guilty of occupying the airport and fined 17 million dollars a year or so ago but not one has spent any time in prison, nor has the fine been paid.

The Courts take their time, except in the 300 odd Red Shirts cases when they were brought before the judge, sentenced, no bail being made available, and are coming out now having spent more time in jail than their sentences in some cases, two and a half years later.

Maybe you're right, maybe the PAD and the Democrats are being given a hard time , I don't think so though.

Edited December 28, 2012 by muttley

[bigbamboo]

I wonder what potential investors are thinking as Thailand continues to wash it's dirty laundry in public. Crooked politicians on both sides of the fence, a mafia infested police force, a de facto PM doing his Al Capone impression from the desert and all points east.

Is there even one one honest official left in the country? No wonder Dawei is as looking as attractive to those investors as a teaching post in Pattani just now.

[Ricardo]

"accused of bypassing the government"

and thus cutting the ministry poo-yais out of the gravy-Skytrain, the scoundrels !

[Bluespunk]

Ah I love it when PT chose which post coup laws to follow and which to condem. Such hypocrisy is breathtaking. I'm sure this prosecution has nothing to do with fact Bangkok is dem territory, just as it didn't when they cut the BMA' s budget. Don't get me wrong, if the BMA broke the law they deserve punishment. I just wish the law wasn't used as a political tool.

Edited December 28, 2012 by Bluespunk

[animatic]

Cognitive dissonance at the DSI,

it doesn't have to make sense unless you FOLLOW THE MONEY.

Following the laws entotal is optional, unless it pays really well.

30 years of graft cut off at the past, and denied to the PTP cronies.

Of course there will be a full court press to loosen the spigots of cash

for the current powers that be.

Edited December 28, 2012 by animatic

[siampolee]

Skytrain delay: deputy city clerk blamed

By The Nation

Published on September 21, 2009

Deputy Bangkok Governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon yesterday blamed a deputy city clerk for the delay in the Skytrain extension between On Nut and Soi Bearing.

The test run along the route was initially scheduled to start late next year.

"Because this deputy city clerk is approaching his retirement age, he has chosen to play safe by refusing to sign crucial documents relating to this route," Thirachon said.

He did not name the deputy city clerk.

"He is worried about the risk of being charged with negligence because he has seen what happened to former city clerk Khunying Nathanon Thavisin," Thirachon said.

The National AntiCorruption Commissionhas indicted Nathanon for her role in the firevehicle scandal. She was accused of being negligent.

According to Thirachon, the provider of the signal and electrical systems on the On NutSoi Bearing route should have been looked for as many as nine months ago

Perhaps the person concerned was aware that things were not perhaps as open as they should be, perhaps he or she knew who was seeking commissions on the project . No smoke with out fire.

Edited December 28, 2012 by siampolee

[Bluespunk]

Yes but sometimes the illusion of smoke creates the perception of a fire.

[siampolee]

Agreed.

Sometimes that smoke creates a smokescreen so as the pursued are difficult to find.

Who really knows what political hue or who might have been or was taking what commission on the sky-train extension deal,?

[paymaster]

Does the upcoming Gubnatorial elections have anything to do with this or is it just coincidence?

[geriatrickid]

As this prosecution is based on post-coup legislation, can we expect those who declare anything related to the coup as evil to now heartily defend the BMA?

The laws concerning bribery and corruption were on the books long before the coup.

Please explain how the criminal charges are influenced by the constitutional changes effected by the military junta.

Bribery is bribery, and misappropriation of public funds was always a criminal offense, at least for the past 50 years wasn't it?

[geriatrickid]

Does the upcoming Gubnatorial elections have anything to do with this or is it just coincidence?

Fair question, especially since the incumbent governor doesn't have the full backing of the democrats that select the candidates. However, the investigation is at least a couple years old.

[geriatrickid]

Agreed.

Sometimes that smoke creates a smokescreen so as the pursued are difficult to find.

Who really knows what political hue or who might have been or was taking what commission on the sky-train extension deal,?

Land o'goshen, are you suggesting that this was a money making scheme for the democrat party?

It wouldn't be the first time such a method was used. In Canada, the Liberal party at the federal and provincial levels has been accused of similar activity, as have political parties in various US states.

[geriatrickid]

Cognitive dissonance at the DSI,

it doesn't have to make sense unless you FOLLOW THE MONEY.

Following the laws entotal is optional, unless it pays really well.

30 years of graft cut off at the past, and denied to the PTP cronies.

Of course there will be a full court press to loosen the spigots of cash

for the current powers that be.

Instead of trying to dazzle with your access to a thesaurus, how about just saying that you deny the allegations and wish to instead blame the PTP for this?

It would make it much easier for regular folks like me to follow along if you just wrote "I blame Thaksin".

Edited December 28, 2012 by geriatrickid

[whybother]

As this prosecution is based on post-coup legislation, can we expect those who declare anything related to the coup as evil to now heartily defend the BMA?

The laws concerning bribery and corruption were on the books long before the coup.

Please explain how the criminal charges are influenced by the constitutional changes effected by the military junta.

Bribery is bribery, and misappropriation of public funds was always a criminal offense, at least for the past 50 years wasn't it?

Maybe you didn't read the OP.

"It's clear the suspects have violated a -coup order giving the authority to make decisions on the rail-based system to the Interior Ministry or the interior minister," Pol Lt-Colonel Tawan Mangkang, head of the DSI's investigations, said yesterday.

[whybother]

Does the upcoming Gubnatorial elections have anything to do with this or is it just coincidence?

Fair question, especially since the incumbent governor doesn't have the full backing of the democrats that select the candidates. However, the investigation is at least a couple years old.

Amazing they can spend a couple of years investigating something that happened this year.

[MrSlatersParrot]

It's interesting that since the elections hardly a day goes by without some drug bust of police or forest encroachment, illegal developments, info on

may 2010, dodgy government contracts being exposed etc etc.

During the abhisit period there was talk, talk about dealing with corruption erm.

all there was was noises off about thaksin.

He was about to be arrested, almost arrested, arrested very soon.

And 250,000 websites blocked.

Thus ensuring uninterrupted quietness.

[whybother]

It's interesting that since the elections hardly a day goes by without some drug bust of police or forest encroachment, illegal developments, info on

may 2010, dodgy government contracts being exposed etc etc.

During the abhisit period there was talk, talk about dealing with corruption erm.

all there was was noises off about thaksin.

He was about to be arrested, almost arrested, arrested very soon.

And 250,000 websites blocked.

Thus ensuring uninterrupted quietness.

It's good to know that the current government have continued with the blocked websites with their 400 million baht internet war room.

[khunken]

As this prosecution is based on post-coup legislation, can we expect those who declare anything related to the coup as evil to now heartily defend the BMA?

The laws concerning bribery and corruption were on the books long before the coup.

Please explain how the criminal charges are influenced by the constitutional changes effected by the military junta.

Bribery is bribery, and misappropriation of public funds was always a criminal offense, at least for the past 50 years wasn't it?

Well said. Pity that you & a number of other like-minded individuals wouldn't apply this principle to Thaksin's corruption.

[Skywalker69]

DSI seems to be doing a lot of work lately

Something does not smell right

Lot of Dems and yellow shirts entering the docket

IMO it is all politically motivated ... DSI now wears red and PTP undershirts

Orders from the "camelrider" in Dubai"