NCPO orders review of NGV bus purchase plan

BANGKOK, 15 July 2014 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has instructed the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) to re-examine certain aspects of the project to procure NGV buses in a bid to ensure transparency.

Permanent Secretary for Transport Soithip Traisut stated that, according to the NCPO’s order, the BMTA’s NGV bus procurement plan worth over 13 billion baht is subject to reconsideration in some important areas. Focus will reportedly be placed on whether the planned purchase of 3,183 buses would suffice the demand of commuters in Bangkok and its vicinities.

If not, attention would be paid to how additional vehicles would be obtained, whether through purchases, rentals or joint ownership with private operators. Details on these matters are expected to be finalized and forwarded to the NCPO within two weeks.

Ms Soithip indicated that the review of the NGV bus project reflected the NCPO’s intention to ensure utmost transparency prior to the actual procurement process and the BMTA was obliged to provide explanations on unclear issues. Nonetheless, she believed the project would not be discarded as it had long been worked on and there should be no further delay.

Meanwhile, the subcommittee of the National Anti-Corruption Commission investigating the NGV bus project claimed it had found some irregularities. The agency has reported the findings to the NCPO and has proposed that the procurement term of reference (TOR) be canceled or amended.


-- NNT 2014-07-15

Long been worked on ?

The plan was approved by the Abhisit government in September 2009 and then approved again 'slightly' modified April 2013.

After the last approval it was said the first 1200 or so busses would be driving around before the end of the year. Not sure that really happened. Must have been those pesky anti-government protesters who distracted all from important details