Government House renovation 'transparent': Panadda

[webfact]

Government House renovation 'transparent': Panadda
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Sept 8 -- Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Panadda Diskul today gave reassurances that the renovation of Government House, including its new and expensive microphones were graft-free and ready for examination.

Mr Panadda answered reporters’ questions on the purchase of extremely expensive microphones and electronic equipment for the cabinet meeting room at Government House.

He said that the procedures were accountable and transparent.

Mr Panadda said that the director-general of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning supervised the technical aspects of the meeting room and the procurement of the equipment was legitimate.

He denied he was trying to pass on responsibility to another.

Mr Panadda said that he would not insult himself by any corrupt act, and government officials respected Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, the prime minister and chief of the National Council for Peace and Order, so they too would not become involved in any corruption.

He asked that the issue not be politicized.

Mr Panadda also said that the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning would be ready for examination and that costs of the renovation were actually lower than earlier set.

“Reporters will see the details of budgets used for the renovation of Government House because nothing is classified. I stress that the renovation of Government House is free of corruption,” Mr Panadda said. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-08

[Costas2008]

They were "burned by the soup and now they began to blow on the yoghurt"

Nothing sinister here............

[NongKhaiKid]

usually when someone in authority speaks the only thing that's transparent is seeing through the BS.

[tomacht8]

Maybe they could designate the brand name and model.

Would like to know what is so special about this 89 new microphones, beside the price of

145,000 baht (4.500 US$) per piece.

[chainarong]

Not knocking the previous governments of Thailand but Government House has been transparent quiet often, so much so , you can see right through it

[chotthee]

It is selling <2,000 USD in the USA

http://shop.neobits.com/bosch_dcnm_mmd_dcn_multimedia_multimedia_device_1035567326.php

But after Thai tax, and small margin, 145,000 Baht is justifiable.

They should also buy this for all schools in Thailand, rather than the stupid tablet of Yingluck.

[chotthee]

Maybe they could designate the brand name and model.

Would like to know what is so special about this 89 new microphones, beside the price of

145,000 baht (4.500 US$) per piece.

Matichon highlight the purchase and model number in blue.

http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1410170481

[DrLom]

Maybe they could designate the brand name and model.

Would like to know what is so special about this 89 new microphones, beside the price of

145,000 baht (4.500 US$) per piece.

Matichon highlight the purchase and model number in blue.

http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1410170481

Highlighted, so you believe it's true......

Did you highlight the copied and plagiarised pages of your degree, as well?

Edited September 8, 2014 by DrLom

[lemonjelly]

2,000 US Dollar online....... ... 66, 000 baht (ish)....... still highly inappropriate for Thailand at the genuine price........ to think that so many people went to so much effort to kick out a corrupt government that was then replaced by people who do this........... Prayuth just lost face big time.

[tomacht8]

Maybe they could designate the brand name and model.

Would like to know what is so special about this 89 new microphones, beside the price of

145,000 baht (4.500 US$) per piece.

Matichon highlight the purchase and model number in blue.

http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1410170481

http://boschconference.starin.biz/pricing.php?item=DCNMMMD

Guess it is the same model for about 1.700 US$

[rubl]

What some seem not to see is that surely this high-level multi-media conference system with lots of software, security stuff and the like mean the end of the democratic era.

From now on we, ordinary citizens and the like will no longer be able to skype-in into cabinet meetings to offer free advise.

[tomacht8]

Maybe they could designate the brand name and model.

Would like to know what is so special about this 89 new microphones, beside the price of

145,000 baht (4.500 US$) per piece.

Matichon highlight the purchase and model number in blue.

http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1410170481

http://boschconference.starin.biz/pricing.php?item=DCNMMMD

Guess it is the same model for about 1.700 US$

+ 90% import tax around 3500 US$

Better if they have a public tender with three comparative offers.

They could save money.

[h90]

It is selling <2,000 USD in the USA

http://shop.neobits.com/bosch_dcnm_mmd_dcn_multimedia_multimedia_device_1035567326.php

But after Thai tax, and small margin, 145,000 Baht is justifiable.

They should also buy this for all schools in Thailand, rather than the stupid tablet of Yingluck.

As much as I hate it, I must admit if they are sold at 2000 USD in USA, 4500 USD in Thailand would be a normal price.

I often buy tools with a LIST Price of say 100 Euro (on which you may get 50 % discount in Europe) and in Thailand it is from the certified reseller (who would be bound to the list price) and small import duty 400 Euro.

And usually these prices are accepted by large companies. Unless you have detailed knowledge you don't even know it.

[Cake Monster]

The microphones could probably be purchased at a well known IT Mall in Pattaya Tai for around 200 Baht each.

[chotthee]

Maybe they could designate the brand name and model.

Would like to know what is so special about this 89 new microphones, beside the price of

145,000 baht (4.500 US$) per piece.

Matichon highlight the purchase and model number in blue.

http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1410170481

http://boschconference.starin.biz/pricing.php?item=DCNMMMD

Guess it is the same model for about 1.700 US$

+ 90% import tax around 3500 US$

Better if they have a public tender with three comparative offers.

They could save money.

Easily register 2 proxy companies to push up the price further.

[tomacht8]

To: chotthee

Theoretical yes.

European companies for example must also submit reference lists of previous projects.

Likewise, the founding date of the company.

Scam and nepotism in public projects is currently too easy in Thailand.

[Baerboxer]

It is selling <2,000 USD in the USA

http://shop.neobits.com/bosch_dcnm_mmd_dcn_multimedia_multimedia_device_1035567326.php

But after Thai tax, and small margin, 145,000 Baht is justifiable.

They should also buy this for all schools in Thailand, rather than the stupid tablet of Yingluck.

As much as I hate it, I must admit if they are sold at 2000 USD in USA, 4500 USD in Thailand would be a normal price.

I often buy tools with a LIST Price of say 100 Euro (on which you may get 50 % discount in Europe) and in Thailand it is from the certified reseller (who would be bound to the list price) and small import duty 400 Euro.

And usually these prices are accepted by large companies. Unless you have detailed knowledge you don't even know it.

Good example sir. Even something as simple as a Swiss Army knife is around 60% more expensive if bought in Thailand than the UK from authorized distributor outlet thanks to the import tax. And we all know the price of wine.

What is surprising is that the government subject themselves to the same mega import taxes on their own public expenditure procurement, sort of like moving your money from the left to right hand pocket - still your money and still the same amount! It also means the numbers are bigger than need be on the procurement and therefore budgets, and perhaps more tempting.

If the prices were "inflated" by the people in procurement to include kickbacks then the supplier would have to be involved. That would be against German and EU law and Bosch would be aware of the serious consequences.

Interesting to see where this goes.

[Baerboxer]

To: chotthee

Theoretical yes.

European companies for example must also submit reference lists of previous projects.

Likewise, the founding date of the company.

Scam and nepotism in public projects is currently too easy in Thailand.

It's not dependent on European companies. It's dependent on the public sector procurement rules of the country making the purchase. The EU has some very specific rules regarding public tendering, which member countries should follow as a minimum. Contract awards have, are and will be nullified and cancelled if the procedures are not followed and a bidder complains. European countries outside of the EU follow their own regulations.

The level of procurement competences and professional skills is very variable, but most procedures include some form of due diligence to mitigate risks and ensure only competent suppliers bid. The can include asking for details of previous projects, product histories or referees depending on the nature of the procurement. Financial reports for several years may also be analysed, again relative to the amount and critical of the purchase.

Even with all this, there are still many attempts at fraud and unfair practices. The US and UK prosecute and punish those caught. Not always cash, sometimes goods, services, favors - all sorts of ways to bribe.

Fraud and corruption in public spending in the US and EU is easily researched and makes interesting reading. The amount is surprising and most of those countries do not have the institutionalized or high levels of acceptance to corruption found in Thailand and other Asian countries.

The main issue here, is that even if caught, it is rarely punished, especially if those responsible are connected to the "right people / families". That has to change more than anything.

Edited September 9, 2014 by Baerboxer