D S I Set To Summon Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand

[webfact]

DSI set to summon Sukhumbhand

The Nation

Sukhumbhand

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has set a hearing for January 9 for Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra and 10 other officials to hear charges that they extended the Skytrain contract without due authority.

The other officials to be summonsed include Deputy Governor Teerachon Manomaipiboon, city clerk Charoenrat Chootikarn and deputy city clerk Ninnart Chalitanond. Others include Bangkok Transit System Corporation (BTSC) representative Praphanpong Vejjajiva and Amorn Kitchawengkul, the legal representative who signed the contract on behalf of Keeri Kanchanapas, chief of the concession-holder Krungthep Thanakom Co.

The DSI says Sukhumbhand acted beyond his authority and collaborated in the selling of public utilities, namely the BTS Skytrain, without the authorisation of the interior minister as required by Revolutionary Decree 58.

Under the deal struck last May, Krungthep Thanakom, the investment arm of the Democrat-led Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), awarded BTSC a 13-year contract extension. BTSC still had 17 years left on its contract, and under the new deal the company would hold the rights to operate the Skytrain until 2042.

The BMA has threatened to file a counter-suit against the DSI, arguing that what the DSI is doing is unconstitutional.

Deputy Governor Teerachon said that the contract extension was legal and the BMA would wait for detailed charges from the DSI before commenting further.

"Everyone knows what the DSI is like," Teerachon said, adding that the investigation was really part of a scheme by the government and the Pheu Thai Party to discredit Sukhumbhand and the Democrats before the Bangkok gubernatorial election.

He said that if the DSI stepped beyond its jurisdiction, a legal petition to the Criminal Court would be filed and not only DSI chief Tarit Pengdith would be held responsible but also Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Tarit said he would hold a news conference tomorrow at 2pm and detail the summonses. All details about the charges have been prepared and investigators are set to question the 11 suspects on January 9.

The DSI chief stressed that all the officials named would have to present themselves in person on that date, although investigators will consider formal requests to have someone else represent them if they can prove that they are truly preoccupied with their duties.

It is expected that those charged in the Skytrain probe will be temporarily released after they hear the charges against them.

If found guilty, the governor faces a maximum sentence of a year in prison and a fine of no more than Bt20,000, Tarit said. However, the case will be focused as a civil case and not a criminal one, he added.

Also, the contract will be nullified if Sukhumbhand is found guilty. This, Tarit said, might cause some difficulties because it is unclear what has been done since the contract was signed.

BTS concession holder Krungthep Thanakom cannot file a counter-suit against the government because it was collaborator and beneficiary of the contract that has been deemed by the DSI as illegal, Tarit said.

-- The Nation 2013-01-01

[virtualtraveller]

politically motivated, if Tarit keeps up his good efforts taking orders blindly from Dubai, he's likely to be removed by the constitutional court for malfeasance and this might just be the case that backfires on him. For sure, it's perfectly timed to discredit Sukhumband before the governor election, note how they held back until his candidature was officially announced. Tarit has become the worse kind of politically influenced civil servant, shameless!

[smedly]

Department of Silly Investigations

Good on Sukumhand for standing up to these wasters

[Halion]

I for one am sick to death with all this posturing that these clowns perform at the drop of a hat. The laws in this country are as flexible as the ethics of the empowered who, as has been demonstrated consistently feel and act as they are above the law. What Law ???

So many similar situations with copious verbiage by no action and little substance. It is beyond pathetic.

[smutcakes]

I love the way opinions of the DSI have changed since the change in Government. Before they were doing Gods work, now they are posturing clowns. What comes around goes around.

From what I have read, the actual agreement between the BMA and the BTS did seem strange. It seemed rushed and from what I understood there was absolutely no transparency or bidding, which for a Government organization is naive at best, even if it is 99% going to go to the current operator. Its not as if they did not have a bit more time, they still had 17 years on their current agreement.

[Arkady]

The DSI was formed with noble aspirations along the same principles as the independent agencies. Since no government dares to reform Thailand's inept and disgustingly corrupt police force, the DSI as part of the Justice Ministry was intended to investigate cases that the police refused to tackle and some of the many cases where the police themselves are suspects. All went surprisingly well for a couple of years and they really did tackle some controversial cases and provide justice which would have been impossible, if left to bad smelling boys in brown.

Sadly the DSI has now been reduced to clowning around in a political puppet show where the strings are pulled by venal political goons like Chalerm.

Edited January 1, 2013 by Arkady

[Arkady]

I love the way opinions of the DSI have changed since the change in Government. Before they were doing Gods work, now they are posturing clowns. What comes around goes around.

From what I have read, the actual agreement between the BMA and the BTS did seem strange. It seemed rushed and from what I understood there was absolutely no transparency or bidding, which for a Government organization is naive at best, even if it is 99% going to go to the current operator. Its not as if they did not have a bit more time, they still had 17 years on their current agreement.

My thoughts too. But any case the DSI is brought into is now automatically assumed to be a political frame up.

[muttley]

politically motivated, if Tarit keeps up his good efforts taking orders blindly from Dubai, he's likely to be removed by the constitutional court for malfeasance and this might just be the case that backfires on him. For sure, it's perfectly timed to discredit Sukhumband before the governor election, note how they held back until his candidature was officially announced. Tarit has become the worse kind of politically influenced civil servant, shameless!

"For sure, it's perfectly timed to discredit Sukhumband before the governor election, note how they held back until his candidature was officially announced"

Must have been quite a crystal ball used by the DSI back in June 2012 when this deal was first discussed about being investigated. They had to delay the investigation because of a dispute as to who was eligible to sign the contract/deal with the BMA's legal investrment arm, Krungthep Tanakom (KT) - was it the Interior Minister or the BMA?

Incidentally the Chairman of KT is Praphanpong Vejjajiva and yes he is related.

[rubl]

Let's hope all this nonsense will not lead to further delays in the extension of Bangkok's Mass Transit Systems. We had some delay before with a Thai Rak Thai PM playing games

"In 2002, cabinet of then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra amended a law in order to allow a private firm to finance the cost of operating the train system, while the government would take care of all the civil engineering work. On 18 October 2005, with no approval from the central government forthcoming, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) decided to complete the 2.2 km Silom Line route extension (Krung Thonburi Station and Wongwian Yai Station) using its own budget. Construction began on 13 December 2005 with completion originally expected within a year, but problems with tendering for the signalling system repeatedly pushed back the schedule, with the extension finally opening on 15 May 2009. However, Saphan Taksin Station (originally designed to be only a temporary station), and the river crossing itself, has only one track, which has caused repeated delays during rush hour."

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

[khunken]

The DSI says Sukhumbhand acted beyond his authority and collaborated in the selling of public utilities, namely the BTS Skytrain, without the authorisation of the interior minister as required by Revolutionary Decree 58.

Revolutionary Decree 58 - from a search, was promulgated in 1972 by a revolutionary council. A bit before my time here, but this looks like it came from a 'coupist' government (apologies to you know who for using the term).

It's not clear about who must be consulted but that's not going to prevent PTP conducting another witch-hunt. Ever since Thaksin came to power he has done his best to prevent the BMA from expanding the BTS. This is more of the same.

[Pimay1]

I love the way opinions of the DSI have changed since the change in Government. Before they were doing Gods work, now they are posturing clowns. What comes around goes around.

From what I have read, the actual agreement between the BMA and the BTS did seem strange. It seemed rushed and from what I understood there was absolutely no transparency or bidding, which for a Government organization is naive at best, even if it is 99% going to go to the current operator. Its not as if they did not have a bit more time, they still had 17 years on their current agreement.

My thoughts too. But any case the DSI is brought into is now automatically assumed to be a political frame up.

And just why would anyone think that?

[billd766]

The government, PTP and the DL must be gettingreally worried now.

Yet another political witch hunt against the Democrats just before the BKK gubernatorial elections.

Coincidence, sheer chance, blind luck?

Not a chance. Politically motivated as usual.

[khunken]

This is nothing more than a tactic by PTP to direct the DSI to 'investigate' all the alleged sins of the previous government & the BMA. It leaves no body with any resources to investigate current corruption in (for example) the rice scheme. Of course there was the laughable 'effort' by Chalerm to do his usual 'investigating' from his well-stocked-ear-medicine office in Government House.

Yes, this particular issue started last year, but nothing has changed other than the DSI bringing it to a head just before the Bangkok election. No crystal ball needed to determine why.

[theajarn]

If this causes a delay in the BTS being built... WHICH WOULD BENEFIT THE PEOPLE, I'd be VERY pissed.

Looks like PTP is taking lessons from the dictator at Malacañang Palace in the Philippines.

But of course it seems the helpless Thai lemmings will just take it up the behind.

[muttley]

Let's hope all this nonsense will not lead to further delays in the extension of Bangkok's Mass Transit Systems. We had some delay before with a Thai Rak Thai PM playing games

"In 2002, cabinet of then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra amended a law in order to allow a private firm to finance the cost of operating the train system, while the government would take care of all the civil engineering work. On 18 October 2005, with no approval from the central government forthcoming, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) decided to complete the 2.2 km Silom Line route extension (Krung Thonburi Station and Wongwian Yai Station) using its own budget. Construction began on 13 December 2005 with completion originally expected within a year, but problems with tendering for the signalling system repeatedly pushed back the schedule, with the extension finally opening on 15 May 2009. However, Saphan Taksin Station (originally designed to be only a temporary station), and the river crossing itself, has only one track, which has caused repeated delays during rush hour."

http://en.wikipedia....ki/BTS_Skytrain

Another waste of space. When are you going to add something to the thread?

[seajae]

after his new years bonus already, what a team player he is to his boss, I can see his bank account growing fat this year.

[khunken]

Let's hope all this nonsense will not lead to further delays in the extension of Bangkok's Mass Transit Systems. We had some delay before with a Thai Rak Thai PM playing games

"In 2002, cabinet of then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra amended a law in order to allow a private firm to finance the cost of operating the train system, while the government would take care of all the civil engineering work. On 18 October 2005, with no approval from the central government forthcoming, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) decided to complete the 2.2 km Silom Line route extension (Krung Thonburi Station and Wongwian Yai Station) using its own budget. Construction began on 13 December 2005 with completion originally expected within a year, but problems with tendering for the signalling system repeatedly pushed back the schedule, with the extension finally opening on 15 May 2009. However, Saphan Taksin Station (originally designed to be only a temporary station), and the river crossing itself, has only one track, which has caused repeated delays during rush hour."

http://en.wikipedia....ki/BTS_Skytrain

Another waste of space. When are you going to add something to the thread?

Actually you are wasting even more space without adding one jot to the thread. If you read all the posts, Rubi has contributed around 5 times yours in number of posts & about 50 times in content.

The history of Thaksin's attempts to prevent the BMA adding to the BTS is quite relevant to this thread. The DSI, a supposedly independent body, is just being used as another barrel of Thaksin's shotgun.

[473geo]

What is the issue here guys? just the operation of 'checks and balances' some find so attractive and wish to have the judiciary continue to implement

Edited January 1, 2013 by 473geo

[geriatrickid]

If this causes a delay in the BTS being built... WHICH WOULD BENEFIT THE PEOPLE, I'd be VERY pissed.

Looks like PTP is taking lessons from the dictator at Malacañang Palace in the Philippines.

But of course it seems the helpless Thai lemmings will just take it up the behind.

Please explain how a rushed extension of a service and maintenance contract impacts the BTS being built. The current contract had 17 years to run. The new contract was effected without much transparency.

Is your argument that if the BTS is extended, this justifies signing a contract that may be illegal, and that may have inflated costs attached to it?

[geriatrickid]

Actually you are wasting even more space without adding one jot to the thread. If you read all the posts, Rubi has contributed around 5 times yours in number of posts & about 50 times in content.

The history of Thaksin's attempts to prevent the BMA adding to the BTS is quite relevant to this thread. The DSI, a supposedly independent body, is just being used as another barrel of Thaksin's shotgun.

Hello. The issue here is not Mr. Thaksin, but the allegation that the BMA effected a contract that is allegedly illegal and that has inflated costs.

[khunken]

Actually you are wasting even more space without adding one jot to the thread. If you read all the posts, Rubi has contributed around 5 times yours in number of posts & about 50 times in content.

The history of Thaksin's attempts to prevent the BMA adding to the BTS is quite relevant to this thread. The DSI, a supposedly independent body, is just being used as another barrel of Thaksin's shotgun.

Hello. The issue here is not Mr. Thaksin, but the allegation that the BMA effected a contract that is allegedly illegal and that has inflated costs.

Hello yourself - the issue is very much Thaksin as he, via his henchmen, is directing the DSI in it's various witch-hunts, including this one. The issue also is why this has come to a head just before the Bangkok election - or haven't you noticed?

[geriatrickid]

Actually you are wasting even more space without adding one jot to the thread. If you read all the posts, Rubi has contributed around 5 times yours in number of posts & about 50 times in content.

The history of Thaksin's attempts to prevent the BMA adding to the BTS is quite relevant to this thread. The DSI, a supposedly independent body, is just being used as another barrel of Thaksin's shotgun.

Hello. The issue here is not Mr. Thaksin, but the allegation that the BMA effected a contract that is allegedly illegal and that has inflated costs.

Hello yourself - the issue is very much Thaksin as he, via his henchmen, is directing the DSI in it's various witch-hunts, including this one. The issue also is why this has come to a head just before the Bangkok election - or haven't you noticed?

Well the investigation took some time.It started after the deal was announced in May 2012. 8 months isnt an unreasonable time delay.

[culicine]

politically motivated, if Tarit keeps up his good efforts taking orders blindly from Dubai, he's likely to be removed by the constitutional court for malfeasance and this might just be the case that backfires on him. For sure, it's perfectly timed to discredit Sukhumband before the governor election, note how they held back until his candidature was officially announced. Tarit has become the worse kind of politically influenced civil servant, shameless!

Wasn't Tarit a key figure in CRES? Shouldn't he thus summons himself to court for his part in the 2010 riots?

[khunken]

Actually you are wasting even more space without adding one jot to the thread. If you read all the posts, Rubi has contributed around 5 times yours in number of posts & about 50 times in content.

The history of Thaksin's attempts to prevent the BMA adding to the BTS is quite relevant to this thread. The DSI, a supposedly independent body, is just being used as another barrel of Thaksin's shotgun.

Hello. The issue here is not Mr. Thaksin, but the allegation that the BMA effected a contract that is allegedly illegal and that has inflated costs.

Hello yourself - the issue is very much Thaksin as he, via his henchmen, is directing the DSI in it's various witch-hunts, including this one. The issue also is why this has come to a head just before the Bangkok election - or haven't you noticed?

Well the investigation took some time.It started after the deal was announced in May 2012. 8 months isnt an unreasonable time delay.

8 months during which nothing happened. Deciding if the minister had to be 'consulted' or not does not take that long. Doesn't take rocket science to work out the timing reasons of the 'decision'.

[LindsayBKK]

Any Democrats left to be summoned? Oh yes maybe Democrat Limo drivers.

The only people left to be summoned are the DSI and Mr.T and we know there is no chance of that happening!

............ where was all the usual Xmas and New Year warnings? hmmmmmm

Edited January 1, 2013 by LindsayBKK

[OzMick]

What is the issue here guys? just the operation of 'checks and balances' some find so attractive and wish to have the judiciary continue to implement

The problem is that the DSI has changed to "cheques and balances" under k. Tarit.

[473geo]

What is the issue here guys? just the operation of 'checks and balances' some find so attractive and wish to have the judiciary continue to implement

The problem is that the DSI has changed to "cheques and balances" under k. Tarit.

Ah...... looking at the financial aspect of officials and projects.........and the problem with that would be?

[metisdead]

Off topic and nonsense posts have been removed.

[khunken]

^^

Post No: 27

The cheques are what they are receiving & the balances are increasing. The problem is that they are being told to 'forget' about the corruption by PTP and concentrate on the Democrats. It's a two-pronged witch hunt - Abhisit to suppress his opposition to a Thaksin amnesty & Sukhumband just before the Bangkok election. They are actually probing alleged corruption within the Democrats rice scheme, which is just another wrong target from a supposedly independent body

[rubl]

The DSI says Sukhumbhand acted beyond his authority and collaborated in the selling of public utilities, namely the BTS Skytrain, without the authorisation of the interior minister as required by Revolutionary Decree 58.

2012-05-10

"Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said he would ask the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to investigate Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra and executives of the BMA."

http://www.railpage..../f-p1720243.htm

2012-05-14

"The contract extension for BTSC, he said, has received approval from the Bangkok Metropolitan Council. He added that the recent study by the BMA has also revealed that this will help the authority save up to 6 billion baht in transport budget and will only yield benefits for the Thai people."

http://thaifinancial...-btsc-is-legit/

2012-05-28

""The Pheu Thai Party should be openminded. Stop attacking just because the BMA administration comes from the Democrat Party. The extension of hiring contract time for the BTS for the extended routes, whose budget was set at Bt4.658 billion, received approval from the Bangkok Council unanimously on March 8.

"The meeting attendants included 56 council members, 42 of whom are the Democrats and 14 are from Pheu Thai. Why are Pheu Thai MPs crying out? Why don't you go back and ask the Pheu Thai Bangkok councillors?" Rachada said."

http://pattayatoday....laint-with-dsi/

2012-05-29

"There are grounds to believe Bangkok officials may have violated four laws in awarding a Bt190-billion contract to the current operator of the Skytrain system, according to Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tharit Pengdit."

http://www.nationmul...I-30183005.html

2012-08-23

"Mr Theerachon asserted that the DSI has been issuing false public statements on the contract extension in ways that are damaging to the City Hall's image. In addition, the department also proposed the case to the Commission of Special Cases in order to pursue criminal charges against the BMA."

http://www.thaivisa....25#entry5598775

As we all now the DSI has nothing else to do at the moment, so could concentrate on this blatant case of money too well spent (or to be spent). It's an affront, as authorities are supposed to deal with billions only. Allegedly that is.