DSI: govt should scrap BTS deal

Chanikarn Phumhiran,

Anuphan Chantana

The Nation

Tarit to ask interior minister to cancel BMA contract allowing BTSC to operate Skytrain for further 13 years

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation will ask the interior minister to cancel the contract signed by the Bangkok governor for the extension of the Skytrain's operations without the minister's permission, the DSI chief said yesterday.

"Those who caused this problem will be held responsible for damages," Tarit Pengdit said.

Last May, Krungthep Thanakom Co, the investment arm of the Democrat-led Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), awarded Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC) a 13-year contract. As BTSC still had 17 years left on its old contract, it could now continue to run the Skytrain system until 2042.

Deputy Interior Minister Chatt Kuldiloke is allowed by law to order the BMA in writing to suspend the new contract, according to a DSI source.

If the BMA disagrees, it could appeal to the Administrative Court, the source added.

Tarit told a press conference that the DSI had sent a letter to nine BMA executives informing them that they had extended the Skytrain contract without due authority.

The nine include Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Deputy Governor Teerachon Manomaipiboon, city clerk Charoenrat Chootikarn and deputy city clerk Ninnart Chalitanond.

Others include Praphanpong Vejjajiva, chairman of Krungthep Thanakom; a representative who signed the contract on behalf of Keeree Kanchanapas, chairman of BTS Group Holdings; and Amorn Kitchawengkul, managing director of Krungthep Thanakom.

The DSI would summon the nine BMA executives and representatives of BTSC and Krungthep Thanakom to hear the charge on January 9, Tarit added.

Deputy Democrat Party leader Apirak Kosayothin said the DSI's legal action against Sukhumbhand was not unexpected and the governor would defend himself.

BMA spokesman Wasant Meewong said the BMA would issue an official statement when the nine executives received the written charge from the DSI.

The BMA had strictly followed the law in inking the BTS contract, he said.

Sukhumbhand told a press conference that the BMA would ask the court to rule on whether the DSI had abused the Criminal Code in launching its probe.

Only the National Anti-Corruption Commission could carry out such an investigation, he said.

The city had considered the laws prudently before entering into the contract, which hired BTS to operate the system, so the BMA did not extend the concession as charged by the DSI, he said.

The Council of State had ruled several times that under the law the BMA could assign the BTS' operation to a private firm, he said.

Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan should carefully consider the issues before revoking the BTS contract as that would cause headaches for a lot of Bangkok commuters, he added.

-- The Nation 2013-01-03

PTP and by extension Big T have no shame, basicly they where left with no place at the pig out and want there cut.

Isn't it up to court of justice to pass sentence in such things? Or the DSI has the power to prosecute and judge as well?

Methinks Tarit is way overstepping his brief asking the government to cancel the contract before due judicial processes have even started.

Methinks Tarit is way overstepping his brief asking the government to cancel the contract before due judicial processes have even started.

This is typical of the things that happen when individuals have an inflated opinion of themselves, their influence and importance. In effect they become bullies and the best defence is usually to slap them back only much harder.

Methinks Tarit is way overstepping his brief asking the government to cancel the contract before due judicial processes have even started.

He is only saying what he has been told to say by those 'up top'

PTP and by extension Big T have no shame, basicly they where left with no place at the pig out and want there cut.

This particular issue is an election year shenanigan designed to discredit Sukhumbund and the Democrats so that PT has a better chance at winning the upcoming election for Bangkok governor, something they've never had.

PTP and by extension Big T have no shame, basicly they where left with no place at the pig out and want there cut.

This particular issue is an election year shenanigan designed to discredit Sukhumbund and the Democrats so that PT has a better chance at winning the upcoming election for Bangkok governor, something they've never had.

I wonder if that will bite them. Will people see this as pure political charges and therefore not vote for PTP?

The BMA had strictly followed the law in inking the BTS contract, he said.

Which law? Or rather who's interpretation of it?

The city had considered the laws prudently before entering into the contract

Well, obviously not or they wouldn't have been investigated one would think. Or did someone not get their cut? Or is this purely (yet again) political shenanigans that waste everyone's time and money?

Just how many fingers can we get in the pie? Talk about the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.

Tarit 'telling' the PTP to cancel the extension? Seems that kangaroo courts are the flavour of the day here.

The Department of Special Investigation will ask the interior minister to cancel the contract signed by the Bangkok governor for the extension of the Skytrain's operations without the minister's permission, the DSI chief said yesterday.

"Those who caused this problem will be held responsible for damages," Tarit Pengdit said.

Deputy Interior Minister Chatt Kuldiloke is allowed by law to order the BMA in writing to suspend the new contract, according to a DSI source.

If the BMA disagrees, it could appeal to the Administrative Court, the source added.

Tarit told a press conference that the DSI had sent a letter to nine BMA executives informing them that they had extended the Skytrain contract without due authority.

Judged fairly by the DSI and found guilty. Who next to be reconciled by this government?

This government has a clear policy of scrapping public transport and favoring transportation by individual cars, preferably high emmission cars with outdated technology. It supports financially the purchase of such cars (1.2 million units), subsidized Diesel and punishes low emmission import cars with high tax excise.

So it's only natural in this policy to fight against any expansion of public transport, such as BTS, bus-lanes, etc.

Oh and it also hepls to discredit the BMA Governor who just happens to be a Democrat. Are elections up? Na! That's just a coincidence. Honestly!

PTP and by extension Big T have no shame, basicly they where left with no place at the pig out and want there cut.

If the contract extension is illegal, are you in favour of such illegal dealings?

This government has a clear policy of scrapping public transport and favoring transportation by individual cars, preferably high emmission cars with outdated technology. It supports financially the purchase of such cars (1.2 million units), subsidized Diesel and punishes low emmission import cars with high tax excise.

So it's only natural in this policy to fight against any expansion of public transport, such as BTS, bus-lanes, etc.

Oh and it also hepls to discredit the BMA Governor who just happens to be a Democrat. Are elections up? Na! That's just a coincidence. Honestly!

You do realize that the Governor's candidacy was not certain, right? He had to win his party's nomination and there are several democrats seeking the job.

The Department of Special Investigation will ask the interior minister to cancel the contract signed by the Bangkok governor for the extension of the Skytrain's operations without the minister's permission, the DSI chief said yesterday.

"Those who caused this problem will be held responsible for damages," Tarit Pengdit said.

Deputy Interior Minister Chatt Kuldiloke is allowed by law to order the BMA in writing to suspend the new contract, according to a DSI source.

If the BMA disagrees, it could appeal to the Administrative Court, the source added.

Tarit told a press conference that the DSI had sent a letter to nine BMA executives informing them that they had extended the Skytrain contract without due authority.

Judged fairly by the DSI and found guilty. Who next to be reconciled by this government?

And what if the contract was illegal? Will you retract all of your statements?

Tarit 'telling' the PTP to cancel the extension? Seems that kangaroo courts are the flavour of the day here.

If the contract is illegal, it is a reasonable position.

The Department of Special Investigation will ask the interior minister to cancel the contract signed by the Bangkok governor for the extension of the Skytrain's operations without the minister's permission, the DSI chief said yesterday.

"Those who caused this problem will be held responsible for damages," Tarit Pengdit said.

Deputy Interior Minister Chatt Kuldiloke is allowed by law to order the BMA in writing to suspend the new contract, according to a DSI source.

If the BMA disagrees, it could appeal to the Administrative Court, the source added.

Tarit told a press conference that the DSI had sent a letter to nine BMA executives informing them that they had extended the Skytrain contract without due authority.

Judged fairly by the DSI and found guilty. Who next to be reconciled by this government?

And what if the contract was illegal? Will you retract all of your statements?

If a Court of Law rules the contract was illegally issued I will retract "Judged fairly by the DSI and found guilty." and replace it with "DSI found to have correctly accused"

This is corruption pretending to fight corruption,

so an opposing side within the corruption can get it's tranche of tart.

Tarit 'telling' the PTP to cancel the extension? Seems that kangaroo courts are the flavour of the day here.

If the contract is illegal, it is a reasonable position.

And if proved that the BMA could ACTUALLY do what they have done within the confines of the regulations.. What then .. You will concede that the DSI is being used as a political tool?