Anti-graft body not investigating 140,000-Baht microphones

[webfact]

Anti-Graft Body Not Investigating 140,000-Baht Microphones
By Khaosod English


A 27 million baht sound system was recently installed into the Cabinet room in the Government House.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s national anti-corruption agency says it is not investigating the 27 million baht sound system recently installed in the Government House.

"The NACC is not investigating the matter," said Panthep Klanarongklang, chairman of National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) at a press conference yesterday.

Mr. Panthep was responding to mounting criticism over the purchase of 192 microphones that reportedly cost 145,000 baht each for the Cabinet meeting room in the Government House.

The 27 million baht price tag has prompted criticism from activists and news outlets across the political spectrum. It is the first serious case of suspected corruption associated with Thailand's military rulers, who seized power in a coup d’etat nearly four months ago.

Yet the NACC chairman said he has not received any complaints about the expensive audio system.

"Once someone files a complaint, we will investigate the purchases," Mr. Panthep said.

When a reporter asked why the NACC has not taken any action despite the public outcry, Mr. Panthep explained that the agency lacks "information" about the purchases.

"Although we have the power to investigate it, we can't just simply do it without adequate information. Right now, the NACC has no information at all,” Mr. Panthep said, even though the price of the lavish audio equipment is publicly accessible and has been posted on the website of Department of Public Works.

According to the document, in addition to the 145,000 baht-microphones, the military regime also ordered a 520,000-baht television screen, 19,000-baht TV wall mount, and 110,000 LED lamp for the Cabinet room.

The renovation was approved by the military junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Officials have attempted to quell the microphone controversy by claiming the equipment’s supplier agreed to give the Thai government a 35 percent discount.

"Representatives of Robert Bosch Limited have offered a special discount for the Government House renovation. They agreed to give a 35 percent discount as requested by the Department," said Monthol Sudprasert, chief of the Department of Public Works.

"The price [of the microphones] is now down to 95,200 baht per piece," Mr. Monthol said yesterday. "They also agreed to give discount for other equipment ... we will save a total of 14.1 million baht with this discount."

Mr. Monthol explained that the price posted on Bosch’s website was not a finalised one, and that officials have not yet paid the supplier for the equipment.

"Let me stress that there has been no advanced payment, because it is still under a price negotiation procedure," the official added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Panthep said the NACC is "urgently" working to wrap up its investigation into former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s alleged failure to prevent widespread corruption in her government’s rice pledging scheme.

Source: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1410414003&section=11&typecate=06

-- Khaosod English 2014-09-11

[tomacht8]

Meanwhile, Mr. Panthep said the NACC is "urgently" working to wrap up its investigation into former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s alleged failure to prevent widespread corruption in her government’s rice pledging scheme.

Hope they get then also a 35% discount afterwards for the rice scheme.
That would then be around 300 billion baht.
300.000.000.000

Edited September 11, 2014 by tomacht8

[iReason]

“Mr. Panthep explained that the agency lacks "information" about the purchases.”

“NACC has no information at all,” Mr. Panthep said, even though the price of the lavish audio equipment is publicly accessible and has been posted on the website of Department of Public Works.”

“Monthol Sudprasert, chief of the Department of Public Works…explained that the price posted on Bosch’s website was not a finalized one…”

Lacks information?

Perhaps these communication devices can help to solve that…

[PS2]

The list price for them is 2000 USD, 64.320 baht.

Just add the stupid import tax on all foreign stuff and you are up there easily.

[Fat Haggis]

I wonder how many other clients of Bosch bought these at the "wrong" price, and have since recieved their 35% discount?

NACC didn't seem to have crossed the T's and dotted the i's over the Rice scheme either... perhaps a reform is on the cards for them too?

[Thai at Heart]

Begs one question.

Why the hell is the cabinet meeting room got so many seats? How many ministers do they need?

[Fat Haggis]

what do they need a TV for when they've all got fancy little gadgets ? Surely nobody should be watching anything else other than each other during a session of cabinet ministers, and paying attention to what's being debated?

[dBrown]

"Let me stress that there has been no advanced payment, because it is still under a price negotiation procedure," the official added.

Sure, a company will install a 27 million Baht system, and after installation ask what you want to pay for it.

And on 25 December Santa Claus flies through the sky on his sleigh.

[Confuscious]

1 set of corrupt politicians out, 1 set of corrupt politicians in.

The Military appointed Government are exactly the same corrupt politicians as every other Government.

[thesetat2013]

The list price for them is 2000 USD, 64.320 baht.

Just add the stupid import tax on all foreign stuff and you are up there easily.

If its as simple as you put it then why was it quoted in an article that as soon as complaints of corruption began floating around that the site changed its listing price from 99k to 199k ovenight?

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Fat Haggis]

Simples, they were caught out by some vigilant people..

[iReason]

1 set of corrupt politicians out, 1 set of corrupt politicians in.

The Military appointed Government are exactly the same corrupt politicians as every other Government.

Bingo!

[JeremyBowskill]

Well yesterdays quote was "Mr Monton said his department bargained for a lower price with representatives of Robert Bosch Ltd and Asavasopon Co on Sept 8 and they agreed to cut the price from Bt145,000 by 35 per cent to Bt95,250 per microphone. That will cost altogether Bt53.80 million."

Today its Bt140,000. I smell something and its not yesterdays som tam........

[Lupatria]

Anti-Graft Body Not Investigating 140,000-Baht Microphones

They are just scared not to be heard by the public over their cheap microphones

[tx22cb]

I agree - no need for the NACC to investigate for this simple uncomplicated case, where everything took place in the last 2 months.

The guy in charge of Govt House, Panadda, should just interview a few people himself, and take action based on what he finds.

If there is collusion and graft, fire the govt fiddlers and prosecute the Sellers.

If there is no malfeasance, lift the aura of suspicion over the officials and Sellers involved.

People should take responsibility for what happens in their houses, and not wait for an outside 3rd party to clean up after them.

[cacruden]

Begs one question.

Why the hell is the cabinet meeting room got so many seats? How many ministers do they need?

I see the front row table seats around 40 if I counted right..... It is a large cabinet, but not unheard of (in the west - don't know the number in Thailand).

The rows of seating behind that would be for advisors that they bring along.

Got to wonder how hard they negotiated if the company offers them a post discount of 35% as to quiet the investigation...... If they can afford that after - then there has to be negligence on the part of the government in the bidding process (assuming they had one)...... and if they did not have a bidding process (which I suspect) then it is ripe for corruption....

[smutcakes]

Begs one question.

Why the hell is the cabinet meeting room got so many seats? How many ministers do they need?

I see the front row table seats around 40 if I counted right..... It is a large cabinet, but not unheard of (in the west - don't know the number in Thailand).

The rows of seating behind that would be for advisors that they bring along.

Got to wonder how hard they negotiated if the company offers them a post discount of 35% as to quiet the investigation...... If they can afford that after - then there has to be negligence on the part of the government in the bidding process (assuming they had one)...... and if they did not have a bidding process (which I suspect) then it is ripe for corruption....

I'm amazed that a private company had this amount of money lying around in stock, and then lo and behold they suddenly get an order for it all, unless they had the heads up some time ago that they were about to receive a large order.....

Does anyone know what make/brand the digital clocks are, and what would be the markup on their outside retail price, thai price, and what the Govt paid for them, in comparison to the microphones?

[dwcrist]

The military and reforms will wipe out all corruption, that is, except for their own, of course.

[fxe1200]

Begs one question.

Why the hell is the cabinet meeting room got so many seats? How many ministers do they need?

I see the front row table seats around 40 if I counted right..... It is a large cabinet, but not unheard of (in the west - don't know the number in Thailand).

The rows of seating behind that would be for advisors that they bring along.

Got to wonder how hard they negotiated if the company offers them a post discount of 35% as to quiet the investigation...... If they can afford that after - then there has to be negligence on the part of the government in the bidding process (assuming they had one)...... and if they did not have a bidding process (which I suspect) then it is ripe for corruption....

I'm amazed that a private company had this amount of money lying around in stock, and then lo and behold they suddenly get an order for it all, unless they had the heads up some time ago that they were about to receive a large order.....

Does anyone know what make/brand the digital clocks are, and what would be the markup on their outside retail price, thai price, and what the Govt paid for them, in comparison to the microphones?

I forgot the name of the company, but these digital clocks are available online for 431 Euro/piece, plus shipping. The price the government quoted was 75.000 THB/piece. The amount to purchase was 200 pieces. For 200 clocks there should have been a bulk discount as well.

Hope that helps.

Edited September 11, 2014 by fxe1200

[worgeordie]

How many people in Thai cabinet Vs European and USA cabinets,?

I thought the cabinet in UK met in the front room of number 10.

regards Worgeordie

[EnglishJohn]

Old habits die hard.

I think most of us realize corruption in Thailand isn't going to change any time soon. All we can hope is that some of the bigger, most greedy fish get what they deserve.

On the plus side, this is just day-to-day dirty business in Thailand. We have finally got rid of the disgusting criminals who were on their way to bankrupting the country.

[catweazle]

No, 27 million Baht is not worth investigation, fully understandable - better toughen visa and immigration requirements and get down hard on businesses part-owned by foreigners, right?

Edited September 11, 2014 by catweazle

[outsider]

End of the honeymoon period eh...

[oneday]

"...the NACC chairman said he has not received any complaints about the expensive audio system."

What an incredible lame excuse for not investigating. How dumb are these people. Who do they blame now that the "red shirts" are out of office. The NCPO backed government? Yeah, right!

"When a reporter asked why the NACC has not taken any action despite the public outcry, Mr. Panthep explained that the agency lacks "information" about the purchases."

Isn't that what the agency is SUPPOSED to do...INVESTIGATE to get the information. Wow! These are the lamest excuses I have ever heard. I would think the website of the company listing this system at 99,000 baht, but charging the government 145,000 and then overnight the price on the website goes to 199,000 baht when this hit the news would be MORE than enough to cause an investigation. It sure didn't take a lot for the NACC to go after YL like a rabid dog. Here is something everyone can understand and sink their teeth into and the NACC stands idle.

I guess we now know where the sympathies of the NACC lay...with the new NCPO backed government.

Edited September 11, 2014 by oneday

[Denim]

1 set of corrupt politicians out, 1 set of corrupt politicians in.

The Military appointed Government are exactly the same corrupt politicians as every other Government.

Not the same thing though. You tread on the militarys toes at your peril. Don't blame the NACC for doing nothing. Look what happened to Sondhi when he criticized them in The Manager magazine. Two weeks in a cell, somewhere most people never thought he would ever see.

[Pundi6446]

The military and reforms will wipe out all corruption, that is, except for their own, of course.

Now you are starting to understand Thailand, "they" are guilty, but we are not, we are the good guys. The price and the amount of microphones is escalating day by day, topic says 140,000.00 per, and 89 purchased, first day story broke, then it goes up to 145,000.00 per 192, we are talking a huge amount of, "look the other way money" here. Round and round we go, where it stops, nobody knows.

Never ceases to amaze me, in the land of "Amazing Thailand"

[MediaWatcher]

PS2, on 11 Sept 2014 - 15:16, said:PS2, on 11 Sept 2014 - 15:16, said:

The list price for them is 2000 USD, 64.320 baht.

Just add the stupid import tax on all foreign stuff and you are up there easily.

Governments do not normally pay import tax... the importer usually applies for tax exemption because it's a government contract.

Edited September 11, 2014 by MediaWatcher

[Mango Bob]

This guy could be on Dancing with the Stars. He's tap dancing all over the place.

[connda]

This is something the NCPO really does not need. Especially when they are hammering for an 'anti-corruption' platform for the new government, but then engage in behavior that could be considered suspect. If it's buried and pushed under the rug, then I have to question the veracity of virtually everything being issued by the new government. I believe the NCPO needs to hop on this issue and quickly. Up to this point they are commanding the respect of a large contingent of the Thai and foreign community. Misuse that trust and then there will be problems for sure. Any suspected collaboration between the new government and business entities for the benefit of either entity will be viewed under a microscope. Anyone calling for the end of corruption need to strictly maintain the moral high-ground.

[visionchaser45]

what do they need a TV for when they've all got fancy little gadgets ? Surely nobody should be watching anything else other than each other during a session of cabinet ministers, and paying attention to what's being debated?

Debated? You're referring to a hand-picked panel of stooges here. There is no room for "debate" in a military dictatorship.