Abhisit seeks probe into Cabinet audio system controversy

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AUDIO CONTROVERSY
Abhisit seeks probe into Cabinet audio system controversy
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday urged Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to look into the controversy over the purchase of expensive audio systems, warning that public faith in his government could erode otherwise.

The Prayuth administration was hit by a public and media outcry over the planned procurement of a high-tech audio system for the Cabinet meeting rooms, which included 89 microphones that come with LCD screens earlier quoted at Bt145,000 each.

The price was higher than the market price and raised suspicions of alleged corruption.

Monthon Sudprasert, director of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, who has been in charge of the renovation of Government House, had revealed that he had successfully negotiated with the audio system supplier - Asavasopon Co - to lower the price of the microphones by 35 per cent, down to Bt94,250 each.

Abhisit said microphones with similar specifications were sold at around Bt50,000 in the market. The PM should investigate the deal and ensure that this does not happen again.

He said this procurement might not be the only project that did not go through proper budget spending procedures.

"The government has placed stress on the sufficiency policy and people are questioning if the equipment is necessary. Since the contract has not been signed, the plan must be reviewed," he said.

Abhisit suggested that the PM appoint an independent panel to clear the allegations of corruption. "This case will show how high the government's anti-corruption standards are," he said.

Meanwhile, Panitan Wattanayagorn, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Science, said leaks of confidential state information were problems faced by most Cabinets. He said keeping state secrets was crucial as leaks may affect national security and stability, including the country's economy. The situation gets worse with an elected government, which normally cares about public feelings and support, and finds the secret leaked before it makes any decision on a particular issue, he said.

He said technology and high-tech equipment - both software and hardware - could prevent such information leaks. But technology alone cannot stem the problem. Awareness and responsibility of the people concerned would be the best way to prevent it, he said.

He said in Thailand, morning news hosts quote what ministers had said in Cabinet meetings even though communication equipment and signals were cut off.

"The ministry in the news has the responsibility to find out how the information was leaked because we have laws and regulations on keeping state information confidential," he said.

He gave the United States as an example of a country with the toughest law against disclosure of state secrets.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Abhisit-seeks-probe-into-Cabinet-audio-system-cont-30243118.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-12

[jaidam]

Abhisit, having finally grown into his grand stateman's shoes, is looking very relevant at the moment. I think he knows he is by far and away the most electable among the non-junta power players. His gentle coaxing of the junta serving to reinforce his relevance. He needs some sort of catchphrase to capture the minds of the autistic voter block, perhaps something like "You will all be rich in 6 months if you vote for me".

[NongKhaiKid]

Wasting your breath as Tarit's DSI, oh sorry the NACC, don't want to touch this.

You are right though leadership on things like this need to come from the very top.

[aussieinthailand]

Mark is correct, there should be a full and VERY independent investigation, unfortunately he should have said this a week ago.

But didn't the NACC say they will not look at it as they have not received a compliant even though all the very public outcry and that they have no information on the issue even though that is their job, TO INVESTIGATE!!!!!!!. TIT.

[Fat Haggis]

All it took was a single complaint lodged to start the case against Yingluck for nepotism eventually removing her from office for an abuse of power... NACC are just like Thaksin...full of it!!

[fab4]

Abhisit, having finally grown into his grand stateman's shoes, is looking very relevant at the moment. I think he knows he is by far and away the most electable among the non-junta power players. His gentle coaxing of the junta serving to reinforce his relevance. He needs some sort of catchphrase to capture the minds of the autistic voter block, perhaps something like "You will all be rich in 6 months if you vote for me".

[Baerboxer]

All it took was a single complaint lodged to start the case against Yingluck for nepotism eventually removing her from office for an abuse of power... NACC are just like Thaksin...full of it!!

But, the NACC have said, not one complaint has been lodged so far.

All Abhisit has to do is lodge that complaint, or ask one of his minions to do so - voila.

[Fat Haggis]

I wonder if they're saying that (NACC) and what's the protocal of complaints agains the Junta? I thought it wasn't allowed, ergo the NACC would hand over the details of the complainee, and next thing, they might be in an "education camp" .. I don't know, maybe if people were able to be critical then things might progress ???

[billd766]

Mark is correct, there should be a full and VERY independent investigation, unfortunately he should have said this a week ago.

But didn't the NACC say they will not look at it as they have not received a compliant even though all the very public outcry and that they have no information on the issue even though that is their job, TO INVESTIGATE!!!!!!!. TIT.

Strange how quiet the PTP is lately and as for Yingluck she is retired from the public view apart from court visits.

[Fat Haggis]

I guess you've not been reading the article posted today then about the PTP raising it's head again?

[EnglishJohn]

Mark is correct, there should be a full and VERY independent investigation, unfortunately he should have said this a week ago.

But didn't the NACC say they will not look at it as they have not received a compliant even though all the very public outcry and that they have no information on the issue even though that is their job, TO INVESTIGATE!!!!!!!. TIT.

Strange how quiet the PTP is lately and as for Yingluck she is retired from the public view apart from court visits.

They are quiet because the NCPO have the power to lock them up if they promote any unrest.

They have been instructed by the fuhrer to wait until the power returns to Parliament then I guarantee they will set about trying to change things back exactly how they were. The one thing this administration needs to do is set the laws so that the dirty and corrupt can be kicked out of politics for life before they can change the laws back. Unfortunately they always write the laws to give a get-out because they can never be sure they will not be up on those same charges themselves. Nobody is clean here.

[rickirs]

" ... keeping state secrets was crucial as leaks may affect national security and stability, including the country's economy."

Usually the disclosure of corruption will do just that. So the answer is to keep even more secret the activities of the State and punish anyone (ie., whistleblowers) who reveals "State" secrets? I don't see how such a policy will promote honesty and transparency to change cultural corruption in Thailand. If one wants to emulate the US laws that protect its State secrets, then one should also consider its eighteen attendant laws protecting the rights of individuals to blow the whistle on wrongful conduct.

[ginjag]

I guess you've not been reading the article posted today then about the PTP raising it's head again?

It was only a Shin family member who flashed this around, any silly so and so can do that. Thaksin is a control freak, with his own family as well, makes me sick to hear about him any more.

[Suriya4]

Mark cannot submit a complain. Even if he did, the military court will sit on it for 9.9 Years then throw it out on the basis that he already sign a doc to keep his mouth shut as a condition for his release from camp.

[rubl]

I wonder if they're saying that (NACC) and what's the protocal of complaints agains the Junta? I thought it wasn't allowed, ergo the NACC would hand over the details of the complainee, and next thing, they might be in an "education camp" .. I don't know, maybe if people were able to be critical then things might progress ???

Even without complaining about junta or NCPO one can still lodge request to have organisations like the NACC look into alleged corruption by government officials.

Till now (at least) it seems clear that higher level government officials were involved. That's the normal group which regards their job in government and related perks as well earned rights after a while. Gen Prayuth might do good to let go a few more of them, just to encourage the others.

[rubl]

" ... keeping state secrets was crucial as leaks may affect national security and stability, including the country's economy."

Usually the disclosure of corruption will do just that. So the answer is to keep even more secret the activities of the State and punish anyone (ie., whistleblowers) who reveals "State" secrets? I don't see how such a policy will promote honesty and transparency to change cultural corruption in Thailand. If one wants to emulate the US laws that protect its State secrets, then one should also consider its eighteen attendant laws protecting the rights of individuals to blow the whistle on wrongful conduct.

You ask if the answer is to keep even more secrets and following you continue, assuming that was the answer.

Anyway I thought the new high-tech multi-media conference configuration (aka microphones to some) were meant to prevent common people to skype-in into cabinet meetings. Signal blocking stuff and so. Of course the moment a Cabinet Minister walks out of the room ... ... ...

[Robby nz]

It would seem that the General agrees with Khun Abhisit, see in the BKK Post : Prayuth takes on microphone case.

[jpeg]

I really am unable to understand the antipathy toward Abbhisit on this forum. I have accused him of being somewhat weak in the past, but given that he's Thai, and gently bred (as opposed to the Thai trailer trash that is Chalerm, Snoh et al), he wouldn't be throwing drop kicks and falling over pissed, let alone invocating the populace to come burn down Bangkok, would he.

Given the choice, which of course none of we farang have, I'd say, bearing in mind he's no longer hamstrung by the thugs foisted upon his coalition, he's quite possibly the best Thailand has to offer. At least he's not a megalomaniac or a military dictator, what?

[Robby nz]

I really am unable to understand the antipathy toward Abbhisit on this forum. I have accused him of being somewhat weak in the past, but given that he's Thai, and gently bred (as opposed to the Thai trailer trash that is Chalerm, Snoh et al), he wouldn't be throwing drop kicks and falling over pissed, let alone invocating the populace to come burn down Bangkok, would he.

Given the choice, which of course none of we farang have, I'd say, bearing in mind he's no longer hamstrung by the thugs foisted upon his coalition, he's quite possibly the best Thailand has to offer. At least he's not a megalomaniac or a military dictator, what?

Ah but he has several great lies against him which we see worked hard every day and at every opportunity on these pages by the PT and red supporters and which have generated a hate against him to the stage where in some parts of the country there are those who would never vote for him or his party simply because they are continually bombarded by the lies to the stage where they have accepted them as truth.

This is even continued in red schools to extend the hate into future generations.

There is the lie that he is one of the rich elite ammart, even though the majority of the previous PT MP's and cabinet were richer than he is, including their patron saint who comes in at number 6 on the Thai rich list.

There is the lie that he is a puppet of the military, even though he is also accused of giving the military orders, which dosent really make sense as a puppet doesn't give orders to the puppeteer.

Then there is the great lie that he is a murderer, which even though when he finally gets his day in court and proves his innocence, will not go away as there will be those who will never let go and will continue pushing the lie.

[billd766]

I guess you've not been reading the article posted today then about the PTP raising it's head again?

Not at that time. I only read that today, sorry.