AUDIO CONTROVERSY
Probe ordered into pricey audio system for new Cabinet
Nattapat Phromkaew,
Attayuth Bootsripoom
The Nation


A policeman stands guard in front of Room 501 in Government House yesterday. No reporters were allowed in as the room is still being prepared for the Cabinet meeting next week.

BANGKOK: -- PM's Office Minister and permanent secretary Panadda Diskul said yesterday he would hold an investigation into the procurement of an expensive audio system at Government House to clear public doubts about the deal.

The sophisticated system with 89 new microphones - allegedly priced at Bt 145,000 each - was installed recently in Room 501.

Reporters and the public have raised questions over the high price of the microphones and the procurement procedure, amid claims the system was overpriced and the procurement done in special way.

Panadda said: "In all honesty, I wasn't informed of about this issue because the refurbishment of Government House wasn't a political issue. However, an investigation to ensure transparency will begin as soon as possible."

Pheu Thai Party legal expert Ruangkrai Leekijwattana said the reported price figure is much higher than the market price of Bt99,000 and questioned why the microphones were installed before a purchase contract had been signed.

There is also suspicion that a certain supply company was given a favourable procurement deal on the microphones after the military junta approved a Bt252 million budget for a major refurbishment of Government House on July 22 - the first in several years.

Government House is due to host the new Cabinet's first meeting today. Some ministers visited their new offices at certain times yesterday, allegedly for superstitious reasons.

Deputy PM Pridiyathorn Devakula arrived at Government House at 9am for the first time yesterday after Cabinet members swore royal oaths about their new jobs. He also brought a Buddha statue that he worships.

Pridiyathorn said key issues for the first Cabinet meeting early today would be social issues and public policies.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew was reported to have preferred to enter Government House via gate number 9 - perhaps due to the Thai belief that number 9 will bring good luck.

Security was reportedly ready, with an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit having surveyed the area and Special Branch Police stationed at all gates to impose strict checking measures.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Probe-ordered-into-pricey-audio-system-for-new-Cab-30242856.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-09

And these people say they are going to clean up corruption. New people in government but the same song is playing

Sounds like the overpriced clocks before. Good thing they investigate, now see if anyone gets punished for it.

They must have taken the extended warranty on those microphones , with customised plopcaps

89 $5000 microphones.

But I bet the reverb is cranked to max and the speakers are distorting just like the sound trucks.

Three thousand pounds for a microphone is ridiculous, assuming that's all it includes - but if it includes for example the pre-amplifiers, and PSU, and perhaps a mechanical raise/lower system as is common in government facilities around the world (the microphone rises out of the desk when the person is recognised by the chair and allowed to speak), then that price may not be altogether that much higher than it would be elsewhere.

High quality microphones in broadcasting can easily cost that much each just for the microphone - but that's another story.

The man who assured yesterday that everything was above board is now announcing an investigation to prove it !

"an investigation to ensure transparency............"

Sounds to me that the investigation results have already been decided!

Was there not a recent poll about solving corruption under the new military government? Well then, step up to the new 12.9 million baht one-room audio system and voice your opinion...

New government, same old song.

If there is going to be a probe let us hope that the end result is an honest one as opposed to a cover up.

Corrupt practices must be curtailed and eventually eradicated irrespective of who may hold power..

Please no more new wine in old skins.

Panadda to prob himself. That's a good one. Mic that cost the same as FOUR Honda wave motorcycle, that's another good one.

Thais love their microphones. Posters who are / have been involved in teaching will have worked in classrooms where a normal or slightly adjusted voice was adequate but Thai colleagues insisted on a sound system.

In this instance being VIPs the best available is needed so the expense is justified

Please note to all apologists, most of the concerns over these mega expensive audio systems are from the pro army posters, this is what we call constructive criticism. As opposed to a rehearsed slamming for the sake of it-------do you now realize the difference.??

I for one are condemning the person involved in the go ahead of the purchases. ( please put this on record)

Edited September 9, 201411 yr by ginjag

Wonder why they need 89 new microphones, doesn't the Cabinet usually run to about 30-40 people, in fact do they need this sound-system at all ?

Perhaps they should cancel the order, and put the money saved towards supplying electricity, to some of those schools which lack it ?

Thus demonstrating the bona fides of the new administration in a tangible & constructive way !

Edited September 9, 201411 yr by Ricardo

And these people say they are going to clean up corruption. New people in government but the same song is playing

The people you are referring to are responsible for making the crucial decisions at the top, they don't get involved with the procurement process, so don't you think it may be a bit premature to start accusing the military of corruption?

The correct response has been made as they have stated that they are going to investigate the matter, and if some civil servant(s) is/are found to be lining their nest, then no doubt they will come to regret it...!

Unlike the very expensive clock saga that was swept under the carpet by the PTP government, eh...?! Where was the pontificating PTP lawyer on that occasion?

Just for mics? I was guessing they'd need some thumpin' bass system for latest Kpop..... maybe these mics have special processors that "auto-tune" so no matter what they say, it sounds sensible when it hits the PA? " Maybe new music genre? Gangthai style? "Hey...... sexy laaaady"

Corruption is like smoking. A habit that is hard to break.

Give them time ... (the Army ... and the persons who made a quick Baht) ...

89 $5000 microphones.

But I bet the reverb is cranked to max and the speakers are distorting just like the sound trucks.

Spot on. Not a single person there will have a clue how to use the system correctly, let alone perform magical "maintenance" on it.

And these people say they are going to clean up corruption. New people in government but the same song is playing

Guilty as charged, why wait for an investigation? If a PTP legal adviser says so, they wouldn't get it wrong would they, based on their astounding performance so far,

This time someone might be in trouble after the investigation unlike during the previous regime.

Edited September 9, 201411 yr by Baerboxer

Same as it ever was !

Talking Heads

Same as it ever was !

And these people say they are going to clean up corruption. New people in government but the same song is playing

The people you are referring to are responsible for making the crucial decisions at the top, they don't get involved with the procurement process, so don't you think it may be a bit premature to start accusing the military of corruption?

The correct response has been made as they have stated that they are going to investigate the matter, and if some civil servant(s) is/are found to be lining their nest, then no doubt they will come to regret it...!

Unlike the very expensive clock saga that was swept under the carpet by the PTP government, eh...?! Where was the pontificating PTP lawyer on that occasion?

And these people say they are going to clean up corruption. New people in government but the same song is playing

The people you are referring to are responsible for making the crucial decisions at the top, they don't get involved with the procurement process, so don't you think it may be a bit premature to start accusing the military of corruption?

The correct response has been made as they have stated that they are going to investigate the matter, and if some civil servant(s) is/are found to be lining their nest, then no doubt they will come to regret it...!

Unlike the very expensive clock saga that was swept under the carpet by the PTP government, eh...?! Where was the pontificating PTP lawyer on that occasion?

And these people say they are going to clean up corruption. New people in government but the same song is playing

The people you are referring to are responsible for making the crucial decisions at the top, they don't get involved with the procurement process, so don't you think it may be a bit premature to start accusing the military of corruption?

The correct response has been made as they have stated that they are going to investigate the matter, and if some civil servant(s) is/are found to be lining their nest, then no doubt they will come to regret it...!

Unlike the very expensive clock saga that was swept under the carpet by the PTP government, eh...?! Where was the pontificating PTP lawyer on that occasion?

And these people say they are going to clean up corruption. New people in government but the same song is playing

The people you are referring to are responsible for making the crucial decisions at the top, they don't get involved with the procurement process, so don't you think it may be a bit premature to start accusing the military of corruption?

The correct response has been made as they have stated that they are going to investigate the matter, and if some civil servant(s) is/are found to be lining their nest, then no doubt they will come to regret it...!

Unlike the very expensive clock saga that was swept under the carpet by the PTP government, eh...?! Where was the pontificating PTP lawyer on that occasion?

And these people say they are going to clean up corruption. New people in government but the same song is playing

The people you are referring to are responsible for making the crucial decisions at the top, they don't get involved with the procurement process, so don't you think it may be a bit premature to start accusing the military of corruption?

The correct response has been made as they have stated that they are going to investigate the matter, and if some civil servant(s) is/are found to be lining their nest, then no doubt they will come to regret it...!

Unlike the very expensive clock saga that was swept under the carpet by the PTP government, eh...?! Where was the pontificating PTP lawyer on that occasion?

And these people say they are going to clean up corruption. New people in government but the same song is playing

The people you are referring to are responsible for making the crucial decisions at the top, they don't get involved with the procurement process, so don't you think it may be a bit premature to start accusing the military of corruption?

The correct response has been made as they have stated that they are going to investigate the matter, and if some civil servant(s) is/are found to be lining their nest, then no doubt they will come to regret it...!

Unlike the very expensive clock saga that was swept under the carpet by the PTP government, eh...?! Where was the pontificating PTP lawyer on that occasion?

I'm going to wait and see whether the investigation is about who ordered the expensive mics or about who revealed the secret procurement.