Trips abroad not lavish: House official

[webfact]

Trips not lavish: House official
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE SECRETARY-GENERAL of the House of Representatives yesterday denied he had abused the budget for MP salaries by sending secretariat officials on study trips abroad at inflated costs.

Suwichak Nakwatcharachai said the planning and approval of the excursions were transparent and the expenses were reasonable.

The Bt2-billion budget for salaries and allowances of MPs was still available for members of the National Legislative Assembly or reform council when they are set up by the junta, he said.

The House was dissolved even before the coup.

On Saturday, former Democrat MP Rangsima Rodrassami told a press conference that the purposes of the trips were unclear and they had been put on hold after alleged irregularities came to light.

However, Suwichak said overseas travel had been suspended because Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew, deputy director of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), had sent a letter to the House Secretariat asking for all projects to be delayed pending new policies from the junta. The educational trips were aimed at preparing House officials for the advent of the Asean Economic Community next year.

Each group was for 30 officials and they had to restrict expenses for each participant to Bt30,000.

However, certain countries would require more than Bt30,000 because the officials would have to fly from island to island.

A committee was set up to look into the "leak" of House documents to the public that led to the allegations, with the focus on Thayawan Supadit, chief of the academic and development coordination division of the Human Resources Development Office, he said, adding that he might have to sue Rangsima for ruining his reputation.

Rangsima said she had been informed of more alleged irregularities on such trips.

She called on the NCPO to remove Suwichak and form a panel to review budget outlays by the House and ask the National |Anti-Corruption agency to investigate him.


-- The Nation 2014-06-09

[timewilltell]

Time to drastically reform the nonsensical defamation laws here. If its true then there should be no grounds for any defamation suit. This nonsense about what other people truthfully report has become a tool to oppress.

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[Chao Lao Beach]

certain countries would require more than Bt30,000 because the officials would have to fly from island to island. Which Islands and how much ?

​30k Baht is only about $1000, easy to run up $200 a day when traveling on Biz in some countries. But there may be more to this story, sounds like there is alleged corruption, who knows, anything is possible in Thailand...

Edited June 9, 2014 by Chao Lao Beach

[rebelplatoon]

Not enough info in this post. If it s Malaysia and its a large group its expensive if its Indonesia hitting a few islands, its normal. Must be more to it if it was outright stopped.

[Oryx816]

What are they learning on these "study trips"? I thought they knew everything already, and need nothing from foreigners.

Sounds sketchy.

[NongKhaiKid]

I can't speak about the current situation but in the past there were regular reports that those on ' study ' trips were accompanied by their wives, at government expense of course, and going ' chopping ' the order of the day.

[lomatopo]

And I'm sure all those Military types fly coach.

[Neurath]

In addition to the now deceased houses of parliament, these programs run in pretty much every ministry and represent both the spoils of postion and, crucially, one of the major sources of patronage distribution. Distribution - in the form of participation and remuneration - goes both up and down the heirachy. There are even small number of study tours that have a legitimate function and whose real cost comes to within 50% of budgeted/disbursed cost. Not many, but for sure a few.

Edited June 9, 2014 by Neurath

[Emster23]

I regularly bunk with these guys in the dorms of various hostels here and there. They are nice enough to share their whiskey too. Enough of this bad mouthing. Long may the junta rule (off topic: Would UK and Aussie news readers PLEASE learn how to pronounce "junta"? ).

[noitom]

And how many Thai military brass' children go to universities in the UK and US and live in military or Thai corporate owned apartments while they are there? How about the private ownership of MBs by the Thai military/

[jaltsc]

"...sending secretariat officials on study trips abroad..."

No matter how much or how little was spent, it was a total waste of money, since it appears that nothing was learned and nothing has changed here.

[Baerboxer]

I can't speak about the current situation but in the past there were regular reports that those on ' study ' trips were accompanied by their wives, at government expense of course, and going ' chopping ' the order of the day.

Didn't one lot go to the UK with wives and kids? And some issue that they were going to a Chelsea match? They were supposed to be seeing UK parliament in action (probably more entertaining than Chelsea!) but picked a time to go when parliament was in recess.

The expenses should be properly checked if there's any serious suggestion of improprieties.

[Baerboxer]

And how many Thai military brass' children go to universities in the UK and US and live in military or Thai corporate owned apartments while they are there? How about the private ownership of MBs by the Thai military/

This thread is about overseas trips where expenses may have been lavish or there were improprieties like taking the family too whilst the previous government were in power. Keep on topic. Doesn't matter a fig what others do or don't do, its the last government we're discussing here.

If you have evidence to support your accusation that senior Thai military officials abuse public spending in the way you describe then you should start a new discussion thread and present it. Or is it pure myth based opinion aimed at deflecting the spotlight away from yet another potential scandal involving PTP?

[Baerboxer]

And I'm sure all those Military types fly coach.

Do you think senior military officers from other countries fly coach?

Get a perspective. It's taking their families for what is a jaunt, some shopping, maybe some sport or entertainment, and very little work, all on tax payers expense that's the issue.

I doubt military would have had such opportunity.

[Gunna]

certain countries would require more than Bt30,000 because the officials would have to fly from island to island. Which Islands and how much ?

​30k Baht is only about $1000, easy to run up $200 a day when traveling on Biz in some countries. But there may be more to this story, sounds like there is alleged corruption, who knows, anything is possible in Thailand...

Maybe they needed to go to Bali from Jakarta, or Boracay or Cebu from Manila. Domestic flights are pretty cheap nowadays, but depending on how long eg a week or more, then easy to spend 30K bt. Lots of entertaining to be done. 5555

[chainarong]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Time to drastically reform the nonsensical defamation laws here. If its true then there should be no grounds for any defamation suit. This nonsense about what other people truthfully report has become a tool to oppress.


Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Just do what Australian oxygen thief's do, you are covered by parliamentary privilege, you can ruin someone's life under this piece of protection and indeed it has happened and the MP concerned gets of scot free.

[bangon04]

And I'm sure all those Military types fly coach.

Do you think senior military officers from other countries fly coach?

Get a perspective. It's taking their families for what is a jaunt, some shopping, maybe some sport or entertainment, and very little work, all on tax payers expense that's the issue.

I doubt military would have had such opportunity.

But in Thailand there is THAI airways, so actually most of the business or first class tickets would be free anyway, thus reducing the overall price/cost/expense. These people should be praised for using a free first class seat for each of their family, thus saving the Thai taxpayer a huge amount of money....

[ratcatcher]

certain countries would require more than Bt30,000 because the officials would have to fly from island to island. Which Islands and how much ?

​30k Baht is only about $1000, easy to run up $200 a day when traveling on Biz in some countries. But there may be more to this story, sounds like there is alleged corruption, who knows, anything is possible in Thailand...

Perhaps when you have a spare moment, you might try to squeeze some green text into your colourful posts, they are a joy to behold.

[worgeordie]

Switzerland,to check on bank account, las Vegas or Macau ,

for a bit of leisure time at the tables.

regards Worgeordie

[chotthee]

certain countries would require more than Bt30,000 because the officials would have to fly from island to island. Which Islands and how much ?

​30k Baht is only about $1000, easy to run up $200 a day when traveling on Biz in some countries. But there may be more to this story, sounds like there is alleged corruption, who knows, anything is possible in Thailand...

They can bring along their Thai rice + Mana cup.

[billd766]

And how many Thai military brass' children go to universities in the UK and US and live in military or Thai corporate owned apartments while they are there? How about the private ownership of MBs by the Thai military/

But but but the .................................................. do that too. (insert your own words)

[chotthee]

And how many Thai military brass' children go to universities in the UK and US and live in military or Thai corporate owned apartments while they are there? How about the private ownership of MBs by the Thai military/

This thread is about overseas trips where expenses may have been lavish or there were improprieties like taking the family too whilst the previous government were in power. Keep on topic. Doesn't matter a fig what others do or don't do, its the last government we're discussing here.

If you have evidence to support your accusation that senior Thai military officials abuse public spending in the way you describe then you should start a new discussion thread and present it. Or is it pure myth based opinion aimed at deflecting the spotlight away from yet another potential scandal involving PTP?

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

What about the LADY.

Khun Ying Jaruvan Maintaka (Thai: จารุวรรณ เมณฑกา; RTGS: Charuwan Menthaka, born 5 July 1945) is the current Auditor-General (Thai: ผู้ว่าการตรวจเงินแผ่นดิน) of the Kingdom of Thailand. She refused to resign her position after the Constitutional Court of Thailand ruled that her nomination was illegal. She is well known for her public criticism of deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra. She has been criticized for nepotism, hiring her own son as a personal secretary using the state budget, bringing her children on a state-funded official trip, and her lack of transparency.

[northernjohn]

Time to drastically reform the nonsensical defamation laws here. If its true then there should be no grounds for any defamation suit. This nonsense about what other people truthfully report has become a tool to oppress.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

Agreed

I would like to take it a step farther and make it a criminal offence to misuse the law such as is the common practice here in Thailand.

I do believe there are times when it is perfectly OK to launch a case of defamation but it is being used to cover up illegal activities now because of the way it is written. Maybe at a guess 1 in 10 is real.

[northernjohn]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

And how many Thai military brass' children go to universities in the UK and US and live in military or Thai corporate owned apartments while they are there? How about the private ownership of MBs by the Thai military/

If you have some thing to say spit it out. Man up.

Are you staying that it is not OK for people to send their children to universities out side Thailand if they are in the military? I was unaware that the Thai military owned basses in the States or England. Do you think that is where Thaksin and Yingluck lived when they were in college in the states or Abhist when he was in collage in England.

Hint quit sucking on prunes.

[lomatopo]

I doubt military would have had such opportunity.

Sounds like the punch-line to any number of possible jokes.

[northernjohn]

certain countries would require more than Bt30,000 because the officials would have to fly from island to island. Which Islands and how much ?

​30k Baht is only about $1000, easy to run up $200 a day when traveling on Biz in some countries. But there may be more to this story, sounds like there is alleged corruption, who knows, anything is possible in Thailand...

Maybe they needed to go to Bali from Jakarta, or Boracay or Cebu from Manila. Domestic flights are pretty cheap nowadays, but depending on how long eg a week or more, then easy to spend 30K bt. Lots of entertaining to be done. 5555

They are on government business why do they have to sight see. Also their are ferries not that it matters. Can't imagine why they would have to go to Bali a tourist hot spot on government business from the Capital of Indonesia Jakarta.

[Don Aleman]

I have no idea what they are studying only sure they would fail a test on it ! When most/all don't understand/read/write English and most seminars are in English what di they bring back that benefits anyone here ?

[Dap]

All depends on "point of view".

I'm guessing that most recipients of these "junkets"

viewed them as "not lavish'

[Dap]

I have no idea what they are studying only sure they would fail a test on it ! When most/all don't understand/read/write English and most seminars are in English what di they bring back that benefits anyone here ?

Well said.

[Oryx816]

It would be interesting to know what was on the agenda for these trips and also what kind of digs they were staying in.