Anti-corruption inspection of repairs in Thai Parliament

[webfact]

Anti-corruption inspection of repairs in Parliament
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday dispatched officials to inspect the Parliament building after an allegation that the price for renovations was inflated by massive corruption.

The inspection was led by Kosol Khamsiri, director of the division for investigation into alleged corruption by state agencies. Kosol said he conducted the inspection after a complaint filed by Democrat Party MP Watchara Phetthong.

Kosol said he would seek more documents from House of Representatives secretary-general Suwichag Nakwatcharachai on the renovation project and might also summon certain officials to testify if needed.

After he had received enough information, he would make a decision by early next year on whether to proceed with the inquiry.

Kosol said he inspected six sites renovated under the project - the press room, office of the House strategic committee, the budget room, the room for selling plane and bus tickets to MPs and senators, the room for selling souvenirs and for receiving public complaints, and the King Rama VII ground.

"During the fact-finding, we may seek cooperation from a government agency that is in charge of providing median prices to ascertain whether the cost of the renovations was too high," Kosol said.

During the inspection, Kosol was led around by Vilas Chanpitaksa, chief adviser for the House panel against corruption.

Vilas led Kosol to see the 200 wall-mounted clocks that cost Bt75,000 each and dispensers of cool drinking water that cost Bt70,000 each.


-- The Nation 2013-10-29

[soi41]

After the inspection Khun Kosol concluded, that the 10 billion for renovation, was all spent correctly and in a transparent way. Mr Kosol was last seen on the way to the bank!!

Thailand. Hub of renovations!

[Roadman]

Quite fitting that corruption is contained in the building that contains the corrupt with their corrupt policies.

[centrala]

LOL@mention of an office in the building selling bus tickets to MP's.

I'm sure it's kept very busy.

Oh well, at least now it's spiffy after a costly renovation.

[centrala]

One might think the whole project of doing an expensive rehab to parliament is corrupt given the 12 Billion plus baht spent on a whole new parliament complex opening in Oct. 2015.

[EyesWideOpen]

These dog and pony "anti-corruption" shows are simply too funny for words. Guess they are put on to give

the illusion to farang businessmen that Thailand follows the western model of governance. Since no one here ever

actually faces a corruption charge, you would think at some point they would realize what utter fools they are

making of themselves and stop these " investigations".

[aussieinthailand]

200 wall mounted clocks at 75,000 baht each!!! um yup I think there may be a problem there guy's, so that's 15,000,000 for clocks when most of the guy's have a diamond encrusted Rolex to see the time, and 70,000 for cold water dispenser's when several fridges with bottled water would suffice...

[Baerboxer]

These dog and pony "anti-corruption" shows are simply too funny for words. Guess they are put on to give

the illusion to farang businessmen that Thailand follows the western model of governance. Since no one here ever

actually faces a corruption charge, you would think at some point they would realize what utter fools they are

making of themselves and stop these " investigations".

Indeed. This will as usual go nowhere, with no results and no one charged, prosecuted, convicted or even reprimanded. All a facade. Is it stupidity, arrogance or both that makes them think other countries will believe they are routing out corruption and installing good governance.

[ratcatcher]

"...........you would think at some point they would realize what utter fools they are."

Never happen in a million years, they take themselves far too seriously, like politicians everywhere.

[worgeordie]

Don't forget the 20 coffee tables at a Million Bhat a pop !

regards Worgeordie

[Thaddeus]

[virtualtraveller]

Can't believe you even need to inspect the clocks to determine if they cost 70,000. That's such a blinder I'm surprised it hasn't attracted derision from the public.

[Neilly]

the room for selling souvenirs and for receiving public complaints

Now that is just bizarre...if you make a complaint do you get a souvenir?

[gemini81]

Maybe one distant day they'll get serious about it, instead of these little petty issues to pretend like they're actually cracking down. This doesn't divert attention from noticing the massive graft on the flooding budget, the rice schemes, the first time home/car owner.....on and on with major issues not being thoroughly investigated. Seems to be the same old lack of courage and standing up for justice.

[hellodolly]

LOL@mention of an office in the building selling bus tickets to MP's.

I'm sure it's kept very busy.

Oh well, at least now it's spiffy after a costly renovation.

Not sure I understand why they would need an office to sell plane tickets. Just tell their Secretary to order them up a Ticket to go to Mongolia so they can make a fool of them selves. Did she really go to a special office to get that ticket?

I can just picture it now Yingluck standing in line to get her piecemeal around the world tickets. I wonder if any body tries to jump place in the line. for sure the cost for this office would be in the millions.

[hellodolly]

Edit

"During the fact-finding, we may seek cooperation from a government agency that is in charge of providing median prices to ascertain whether the cost of the renovations was too high," Kosol said.

Vilas led Kosol to see the 200 wall-mounted clocks that cost Bt75,000 each and dispensers of cool drinking water that cost Bt70,000 each

Sate to be checking with that office. It should already have approved it.

[slapout]

This anti corruption group must be well staffed and over run with inspection personal what with all the allegations directed at the flood control monies spent, rice, corn, rubber, milk, programs Then the new car and new house programs, village funds, imported car parts/cars???, just to name a few

You have to consider just the number of storage warehouses for grain, buyers of grain and rubber, and contractors for the billions spent in flood control. To dedicate a couple of months for inspection of repairs to parlament, this group would appear to be as worthless as tits on a boar pig.

Edited October 29, 2013 by slapout

[I knew this would happen]

One might think the whole project of doing an expensive rehab to parliament is corrupt given the 12 Billion plus baht spent on a whole new parliament complex opening in Oct. 2015

delusions of grandeur

Thaddeus already showed were Thailand seems to head (like the rest of the world)

Edited October 29, 2013 by I knew this would happen

[bigbamboo]

At these prices I'm beginning to see why the government wants 2.2 trillion baht.

Money goes nowhere these days.

[Bkungbank]

In Canada PM in trouble when payment to former chief of staff Nigel Wright's for the payment of 90.000 Canadian dollar about 2.6 Millions Baht only

When here going to learn to progress in politic?

[JoeThePoster]

200 wall-mounted clocks that cost Bt75,000 each

Time is money, yes.

[SABloke]

One might think the whole project of doing an expensive rehab to parliament is corrupt given the 12 Billion plus baht spent on a whole new parliament complex opening in Oct. 2015.

image.jpg

image.jpg

I was wondering about the 2015 "deadline" : Was at the site a week ago and not much going on as of yet, just basic earth moving, tree uprooting and scrap car/metal removing. Don't see how they can complete it in 2 years, it's a rather large building.

[FarangTalk]

They are just doing what mostly every one of their countrymen would be doing in their position; making a little extra due to corruption.

It's part of the culture.

[Local Drunk]

200 wall mounted clocks at 75,000 baht each!!! um yup I think there may be a problem there guy's, so that's 15,000,000 for clocks when most of the guy's have a diamond encrusted Rolex to see the time, and 70,000 for cold water dispenser's when several fridges with bottled water would suffice...

200 wall mounted... ermmmm... Have you ever listen to a Thai say "clocks"? Perhaps the govt employees are very happy lot these days.

[centrala]

One might think the whole project of doing an expensive rehab to parliament is corrupt given the 12 Billion plus baht spent on a whole new parliament complex opening in Oct. 2015.

image.jpg

image.jpg

I was wondering about the 2015 "deadline" : Was at the site a week ago and not much going on as of yet, just basic earth moving, tree uprooting and scrap car/metal removing. Don't see how they can complete it in 2 years, it's a rather large building.

You're right.

Yingluck's government signed the contract last May which stipulated a 900-day completion, putting it at October 18, 2015, for its 12.2 Billion Baht price tag.

http://www.thailand-construction.com/news/903--construction-news/1548-sino-thai-sign-contract-for-new-thai-parliament-building.html

Subsequently, a progress report last month reflected progress was only at 0.34% between June 8 and September 3. It should been over ten times that amount to remain on schedule.

Still, one wonders given the opulent and grand splendor of the project, why they are spending a satang on the old place. The wasted money on clocks and coffee tables could have been spent on putting things back on pace.

http://img43.imageshack.us/i/95678469.jpg/

Edited October 30, 2013 by centrala

[Jim walker]

What a shower of corrupt thieves and as someone previously says they can shout as much and as loud as they like about corruption but it will never change and no one will ever be charged and found guilty and imprisoned unless China takes over the country completely, or until they start to educate children in Thailand about basics what is right and what is wrong you would think MPs claiming to be so Hi-So well educated with a super degree in economics would know what is right and what is wrong stealing money is wrong ask any child in the west over the age of 10 what is right and what is wrong I am sure 90% would know being a thief is wrong and a bad idea but if you live in a country where you are born above the law it may feel different that being a thief is ok because you will never be caught and punished like a common criminal.

[Robby nz]

Hope they haven't forgotten about the 2 air condition units in the garbage room.

But then again there's a lot of human garbage in that building that could reasonably be assigned to that room.