Pongsapat Denies Link To Building Scandal

[Lite Beer]

NEW BANGKOK GOVERNOR

Pongsapat Denies link to building scandal

ANAPAT DEECHUAY,

ATAPOOM ONGKULNA,

OLAN LERTRUDTANADUMRONGKUL

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Tells the DSI he was not involved in controversial changes to contract

Pheu Thai Party gubernatorial candidate Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen had no role in the alleged corruption scandal involving a contract to construct 396 police stations across the country, Department of Special Investigation director-general Tarit Pengdith said yesterday.

Tarit spoke after Pongsapat met investigators and submitted documents to support his denial newsjsof being involved in controversial changes made to the contract. Tarit said investigators found Pol Lt-General Theerayuth Kittiwat had been involved in drafting the terms of reference (ToR) for the new contract after the original one was scrapped.

The Royal Thai Police appointed Pongsapat to head the ToR committee on May 18, 2009. On May 29 of that year police chief Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan asked then prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to drop the plan to allow each region to carry out its own bidding and switch to a single bid covering the whole country. Then deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban approved the request on June 9, 2009.

In September 2009, the Royal Thai Police posted the ToR on the Comptroller General's Department's website. There was no criticism of the ToR, which were accepted. Then caretaker police chief Pol General Patheep Tanprasert reported this to the premier, and Suthep approved the project on November 20, 2009.

Tarit said Patheep, Patcharawat and subsequent chiefs Priewpan Damapong and Adul Saengsing-kaew, would be summoned to give statements.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said Pongsapat was able to defend himself against the allegation, adding that everything about the project would be checked.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tarit has been trying to drag him into the corruption allegations by saying there were complaints against the project on November 18, before Suthep approved it on November 20.

"How could the complaints have reached him within two days? As an investigator, [Tarit] should not have given a press interview.

"The project involved people linked to the government, but the DSI has not summoned them for investigation.'' Abhisit said said he would file a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission against the DSI if the agency takes legal action against him and Suthep.

"It is not right for Tarit to claim that the contract was wrong without touching on those who managed the contract. If the contract was invalid, it must be cancelled, not renewed. Tarit said he knew that the construction company would abandon the work, but those involved must be prosecuted for dereliction of duty for not taking action,'' he said.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut had launched a politically motivated attack against Pongsapat.

He accused Chavanond of distorting the truth and said the spokesman may have violated Article 57 of the Local Election and Executives of Local Governments Law.

Pheu Thai might file a complaint with the Election Commission, which could result in the Democrat Party being dissolved.

-- The Nation 2013-02-11

[dcutman]

Only the usual "school yard bullies" and the hired watchdog commenting. Where is the contractor? Why has Terit not summoned him to testify? The stench of this, is getting unbearable.

[Buchholz]

Why is Tarit (left in OP photo) appearing at a press conference with Pongsapat (right)?

Why did Tarit appear at a press conference earlier on this issue with Pheu Thai Party Spokesman Prompong?

Is he not supposed to be independent and non-aligned?

.

[Locationthailand]

Forget the contracts, where's the money now?

[ChrisY1]

Forget the contracts, where's the money now?

Mercedes Thailand....BMW Thailand.....etc......Cayman Banks.....

No doubt all gone!

[OzMick]

Why is Tarit (left in OP photo) appearing at a press conference with Pongsapat (right)?

Why did Tarit appear at a press conference earlier on this issue with Pheu Thai Party Spokesman Prompong?

Is he not supposed to be independent and non-aligned?

.

"Supposed to be" in the complicated concept of democracy, not the simplistic "one man one vote majority rules" version advocated by PTP supporters.

[Suffinator]

Is anyone really surprised at all this? They have all taken their slice of the pie and left nothing in the dish to actually complete the project. Ali Baba has so many relatives to feed.

[ramrod711]

Why are Pheu Thai members always denying something? They have the DSI in their pocket (as does every government), and still they can never confirm something, or point to some accomplishment with pride. It's always; it isn't true, or, it wasn't us with these guys. If I have to look at Khun Prompong waving a piece of paper at the tv cameras again, I may very well vomit.

Edited February 11, 2013 by ramrod711

[Tatsujin]

Tarit said he knew that the construction company would abandon the work

Perhaps they need to investigate Tarit then . . .

[scorecard]

Tarit said he knew that the construction company would abandon the work

Perhaps they need to investigate Tarit then . . .

Tarit, if he talks to anybody, should be talking about the legal / investigative process and when appropriate sharing facts.

He should certainly not be attending press conferences with people being investigated, giving his opinion and especially after the event (how opportune).

[Robby nz]

Whats the line:

I cannot tell a lie..........He done it.

If he did indeed chair the committee in question then surely it must be well documented, they do still keep minutes of meetings dont they?

[Pimay1]

Tarit said he knew that the construction company would abandon the work

Perhaps they need to investigate Tarit then . . .

Tarit, if he talks to anybody, should be talking about the legal / investigative process and when appropriate sharing facts.

He should certainly not be attending press conferences with people being investigated, giving his opinion and especially after the event (how opportune).

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck..............

[rubl]

Pheu Thai Party gubernatorial candidate Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen had no role in the alleged corruption scandal involving a contract to construct 396 police stations across the country, Department of Special Investigation director-general Tarit Pengdith said yesterday.

Tarit spoke after Pongsapat met investigators and submitted documents to support his denial of being involved in controversial changes made to the contract. Tarit said investigators found Pol Lt-General Theerayuth Kittiwat had been involved in drafting the terms of reference (ToR) for the new contract after the original one was scrapped.

After a very long and gruesome questioning of the suspect (for at least a few minutes it seems) k. Tarit concluded nothing to be wrong. I like the way all people asked for questioning are handled / approached in a equally open, unprejudiced manner.

[muttley]

Why is Tarit (left in OP photo) appearing at a press conference with Pongsapat (right)?

Why did Tarit appear at a press conference earlier on this issue with Pheu Thai Party Spokesman Prompong?

Is he not supposed to be independent and non-aligned?

.

I'm sure Suthep and Abhisit will get their photo opportunity later. Isn't that the normal arrangement for a press conference? It's not as if Pongsapat is guilty - he's proved that, just more muckraking by the dems before the election.

Oh you wouldn't be trying to deflect attention from the fact that he is innocent would you, surely not.

[jbrain]

It looks to me as if there is an issue to define who is the most corrupt in this country.

Is it the Democrats, PTP or the DSI.

I suggest a poll

Edited February 11, 2013 by jbrain

[jbrain]

Why is Tarit (left in OP photo) appearing at a press conference with Pongsapat (right)?

Why did Tarit appear at a press conference earlier on this issue with Pheu Thai Party Spokesman Prompong?

Is he not supposed to be independent and non-aligned?

.

I'm sure Suthep and Abhisit will get their photo opportunity later. Isn't that the normal arrangement for a press conference? It's not as if Pongsapat is guilty - he's proved that, just more muckraking by the dems before the election.

Oh you wouldn't be trying to deflect attention from the fact that he is innocent would you, surely not.

Of course Pongsapat is innocent. That what he said isn't it, and that should be enough proof. Not?

[Tatsujin]

It looks to me as if there is an issue to define who is the most corrupt in this country.

Is it the Democrats, PTP or the DSI.

I suggest a poll

No need for a poll ... they are ALL lying thieving bastards.

[siampolee]

Amazing Thailand, a result on a major project that appears to be shall we say flawed and in two days Tarit can honestly state that form his heat that Pongsapat is totally innocent.

However he ( Tarit ) doesn't seem to be able to highlight the actual pepertrators of this flawed project and pronounce their guilt as yet. Finger pointing a great Thai traditionand photo op combined but no convincing rhetoric

Yet more body waste liquid flows and flatulence is expended from Tarit. .

Edited February 11, 2013 by siampolee

[Buchholz]

Why is Tarit (left in OP photo) appearing at a press conference with Pongsapat (right)?

Why did Tarit appear at a press conference earlier on this issue with Pheu Thai Party Spokesman Prompong?

Is he not supposed to be independent and non-aligned?

I'm sure Suthep and Abhisit will get their photo opportunity later. Isn't that the normal arrangement for a press conference? It's not as if Pongsapat is guilty - he's proved that, just more muckraking by the dems before the election.

Oh you wouldn't be trying to deflect attention from the fact that he is innocent would you, surely not.

I'm just trying to understand how a supposedly independent, non-partisan, and objective law enforcement officer is doing at a press conferences appearing with a person being investigated (Pongsapat) and on top of that appearing with someone not even not directly involved with a police investigation, in the form of a political party spokesman.

btw, it's not normal protocol and additionally, at this point, no one has "proven" their innocence.

.

Edited February 11, 2013 by Buchholz

[backtonormal]

Why is Tarit (left in OP photo) appearing at a press conference with Pongsapat (right)?

Why did Tarit appear at a press conference earlier on this issue with Pheu Thai Party Spokesman Prompong?

Is he not supposed to be independent and non-aligned?

I'm sure Suthep and Abhisit will get their photo opportunity later. Isn't that the normal arrangement for a press conference? It's not as if Pongsapat is guilty - he's proved that, just more muckraking by the dems before the election.

Oh you wouldn't be trying to deflect attention from the fact that he is innocent would you, surely not.

I'm just trying to understand how a supposedly independent, non-partisan, and objective law enforcement officer is doing at a press conferences appearing with a person being investigated (Pongsapat) and on top of that appearing with someone not even not directly involved with a police investigation, in the form of a political party spokesman.

btw, it's not normal protocol and additionally, at this point, no one has "proven" their innocence.

.

I ask is it any different than the army C in C telling the nation to vote for the Dems(good people) the day before the last election

[rubl]

Police scandal linked to Pongsapat

THE NATION February 12, 2013 1:00 am

Signed contract 'but denied knowledge of project'

A corruption scandal involving a large-scale project to build police stations and living quarters - first revealed in the no-confidence debate last November - is now heavily linked to the Bangkok governor's election, with two rival parties exploiting it to discredit each other.

The opposition Democrat Party, fielding incumbent Sukhumbhand Paribatra in the March 3 poll, yesterday publicly presented what it claimed was documentary evidence in the case.

It showed the signature of rival candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen, nominated by the ruling Pheu Thai Party, on a written approval in 2010 for the Bt5.84-billion project to be awarded to PCC Development and Construction Co Ltd.

More here http://www.nationmul...t-30199830.html

[OzMick]

Why is Tarit (left in OP photo) appearing at a press conference with Pongsapat (right)?

Why did Tarit appear at a press conference earlier on this issue with Pheu Thai Party Spokesman Prompong?

Is he not supposed to be independent and non-aligned?

I'm sure Suthep and Abhisit will get their photo opportunity later. Isn't that the normal arrangement for a press conference? It's not as if Pongsapat is guilty - he's proved that, just more muckraking by the dems before the election.

Oh you wouldn't be trying to deflect attention from the fact that he is innocent would you, surely not.

I'm just trying to understand how a supposedly independent, non-partisan, and objective law enforcement officer is doing at a press conferences appearing with a person being investigated (Pongsapat) and on top of that appearing with someone not even not directly involved with a police investigation, in the form of a political party spokesman.

btw, it's not normal protocol and additionally, at this point, no one has "proven" their innocence.

.

I ask is it any different than the army C in C telling the nation to vote for the Dems(good people) the day before the last election

He said to vote for good people, that that meant the Democrats is your inference. Would you rather he said vote for those offering the biggest bribe?

[Robby nz]

backtonormal, on 2013-02-11 21:55:57, said:

I ask is it any different than the army C in C telling the nation to vote for the Dems(good people) the day before the last election

Wow now we have one of the red supporters telling us the Dems are the good people.

[Melyn]

Why is Tarit (left in OP photo) appearing at a press conference with Pongsapat (right)?

Why did Tarit appear at a press conference earlier on this issue with Pheu Thai Party Spokesman Prompong?

Is he not supposed to be independent and non-aligned?

I'm sure Suthep and Abhisit will get their photo opportunity later. Isn't that the normal arrangement for a press conference? It's not as if Pongsapat is guilty - he's proved that, just more muckraking by the dems before the election.

Oh you wouldn't be trying to deflect attention from the fact that he is innocent would you, surely not.

I'm just trying to understand how a supposedly independent, non-partisan, and objective law enforcement officer is doing at a press conferences appearing with a person being investigated (Pongsapat) and on top of that appearing with someone not even not directly involved with a police investigation, in the form of a political party spokesman.

btw, it's not normal protocol and additionally, at this point, no one has "proven" their innocence.

.

I ask is it any different than the army C in C telling the nation to vote for the Dems(good people) the day before the last election

We're talking law and order, the incredibly dubious Tarit and the the PTP.

Please don't derail the thread with your biased nonsense

Edited February 11, 2013 by Melyn