Corruption probe underway in 600-million baht futsal court project initiated by politicians

[Lite Beer]

Corruption probe underway in 600-million baht futsal court project initiated by politicians

BANGKOK: -- The Public Sector Anti Corruption Commission (PACC) and the military are currently launching extensive investigation into irregularities and corruption involving the 600 million baht budget allocated for the building of futsal courts in 350 schools in 17 provinces, mostly in the Northeast, following complaints that they wore out very quickly and were substandard.

PACC is a state agency under the Ministry of Justice which is tasked to probe corruption in the public sector

Over half of the budget or 335 million baht have been spent to build futsal courts in 101 schools in nine northeastern provinces and two in the North.

They are schools in Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Chaiyaphum, Mukdahan, Surin, Amnat Charoen, Yasothon, Si Sa Ket, Khon Kaen, and two northern provinces of Chiang Rai and Phayao.

These schools are under the care of Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC).

Alleged irregularities were detected when they were substandard, and some budget was diverted for other projects.

On-the-spot investigation and examination by anti corruption authorities and soldiers in Nakhon Ratchasima alone found that futsal pitches at 30 schools were quickly affected by subsidence despite having a two-year guarantee.

Synthetic rubber floor sheets were found to be substandard and the prices were three to four times higher than they should have been.

One futsal pitch that they examined was constructed not too long ago and was considered almost brand new. However the rubber flooring has cracked or peeled off.

The budget set for each futsal pitch was 5 million baht.

Because of the wear and tear, many schools opted to remove the rubber flooring all together revealing the hard concrete floor.

One teacher at a school expressed his appreciation for the futsal construction but was obviously not too happy with the quality of the pitch.

“We’re always happy to get anything new. Whatever we get certainly do become fully utilised by the school children. The kids don’t really know the difference. They take what is given to them gratefully. The school administrators were happy to get a budget for the pitch but now that we see that result of the badly made pitch we are filled with regret.”

The PACC stated that the futsal pitch construction bid was conducted through e-auction where only two companies submitted their proposals.

However it suspects that both companies had the same proprietor.

The rubber mats for the project were acquired at 2,600 baht per sheet while market prices ranges from 200 to 1,600 baht per sheet.

The PACC is now requesting the same investigative rights as the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to be able to investigate both public and private counterparts involved in the project.

It plans to investigate the money trail of the construction projects as well as inspecting the rubber flooring at all schools involved.

The PACC also discovered that another 257 schools received the budget to build the futsal pitches but further investigation revealed that no pitches are present on the school grounds.

PACC secretary-general Prayong Preeyajit said the PACC will be posing four key points. Firstly whether the concrete pitches are up to standards and whether their construction was overly expensive. Second, are the rubber flooring up to specs and whether they are overpriced? Third, are the futsal equipment over priced? And fourth, was the contract was awarded legally and according to appropriations procedures.”

He admitted that the project was the initiation of a local national level politician who suggested that all schools in the province have a futsal pitch.

According to an expert, proper outdoor futsal pitch in Bangkok which is used for league futsal matches, the flooring is polyurethane mats which costs 1,400 to 1,500 baht per sheet. The cost of the pitch overall was not over 2 million baht.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/corruption-probe-underway-600-million-baht-futsal-court-project-initiated-politicians/

-- Thai PBS 2014-10-04

[Costas2008]

Keep bringing things like that up.

A new era for Thailand?

I hope with all my heart.

[Pib]

By new era in Thailand do you mean the investigation of possible corruption? If so, investigation into possible corruption has been going on for a long time in Thailand--it's just rarely a corruption investigation leads to arrest and conviction....it just kinda fizzles out after the initial media fanfare. Now when we see clear evidence of corruption investigations resulting in arrest and conviction (prison time would be nice also), them maybe we have entered a new era in Thailand. But one can hope....time will tell.

[lostinisaan]

The rubber mats for the project were acquired at 2,600 baht per sheet while market prices ranges from 200 to 1,600 baht per sheet

​ Especially cheaper when buying thousands of them. I'd never ever accuse school directors of knowing anything about it.

Time for rolling heads at the top. And I mean it.....

[halloween]

Who was the un-named "national level politician"?

[Confuscious]

By new era in Thailand do you mean the investigation of possible corruption? If so, investigation into possible corruption has been going on for a long time in Thailand--it's just rarely a corruption investigation leads to arrest and conviction....it just kinda fizzles out after the initial media fanfare. Now when we see clear evidence of corruption investigations resulting in arrest and conviction (prison time would be nice also), them maybe we have entered a new era in Thailand. But one can hope....time will tell.

As you say, corruption investigation has been existing in Thailand as long as Thailand exists.

But these investigations have very rarely lead to REAL jail term and/or financial condemnation.

Now, even more than before, we can see criminal convicts with a heavy jail term walking free after a few days jail.

But it is nice to see that most TV members think that the problem is solution now and corruption is finished.

[Commerce]

By new era in Thailand do you mean the investigation of possible corruption? If so, investigation into possible corruption has been going on for a long time in Thailand--it's just rarely a corruption investigation leads to arrest and conviction....it just kinda fizzles out after the initial media fanfare. Now when we see clear evidence of corruption investigations resulting in arrest and conviction (prison time would be nice also), them maybe we have entered a new era in Thailand. But one can hope....time will tell.

As you say, corruption investigation has been existing in Thailand as long as Thailand exists.

But these investigations have very rarely lead to REAL jail term and/or financial condemnation.

Now, even more than before, we can see criminal convicts with a heavy jail term walking free after a few days jail.

But it is nice to see that most TV members think that the problem is solution now and corruption is finished.

What is also not understood is that all eyes are on Thailand, after having made such a mess of the murder case.

Now, added to that, we have all the last few months' news about how much corruption is being tackled, and which has been committed by those in very high positions.

Thailand just can't realise what a disgrace it is displaying itself as to the world gazing in.

None of the events save face; they only add to the utter levels of disgrace things are at in this unforgiving land.

It isn't clever to advertise and make known all these corruption cases, far from it. They should be dealt with in private because, even when in public, we all know the outcome of events. No prosecutions whatsoever; simply move on lad, and you're ok.

Edited October 4, 2014 by Commerce

[halloween]

As you say, corruption investigation has been existing in Thailand as long as Thailand exists.

But these investigations have very rarely lead to REAL jail term and/or financial condemnation.

Now, even more than before, we can see criminal convicts with a heavy jail term walking free after a few days jail.

But it is nice to see that most TV members think that the problem is solution now and corruption is finished.

I'm sure you can't wait to give us examples of "criminal convicts with a heavy jail term walking free after a few days jail."

Edited October 4, 2014 by halloween

[clockman]

Because of the slander, libel laws. Put in place to protect these kind of people. You cannot name, names. So until these are removed. Corruption reigns supreme.!

[rubl]

Who was the un-named "national level politician"?

Since the chap is not accused himself, only praised for the initiative I would think to name him should be possible.

[ezzra]

I'm telling you right now guys, if one day there will be no corruptions in this country, most of

us will probably find this place to squeaky clean to live in...

[Utley]

"The PACC stated that the futsal pitch construction bid was conducted through e-auction where only two companies submitted their proposals. However it suspects that both companies had the same proprietor."

Does the term "due diligence" translate into Thai?

[joebrown]

Another day, another corruption scandal investigation TIT!!

[RickBradford]

I'm telling you right now guys, if one day there will be no corruptions in this country, most of

us will probably find this place to squeaky clean to live in...

Unless you're a bristlecone pine or a giant sequoia, you won't live long enough to find out..............

[FangFerang]

As you say, corruption investigation has been existing in Thailand as long as Thailand exists.

But these investigations have very rarely lead to REAL jail term and/or financial condemnation.

Now, even more than before, we can see criminal convicts with a heavy jail term walking free after a few days jail.

But it is nice to see that most TV members think that the problem is solution now and corruption is finished.

I'm sure you can't wait to give us examples of "criminal convicts with a heavy jail term walking free after a few days jail."

Well, how about the Yellow Shirt creator, the originator, who was given a much stiffer sentence than the dreaded Thaksin, and who is now at his house sipping tea...and laughing at you. In his case, no jail time at all...subsequent appeals will drag on until he actually dies and NEVER sees a day in jail.

Duh. It seems you do not even read the news.

[DDbkh]

"The PACC stated that the futsal pitch construction bid was conducted through e-auction where only two companies submitted their proposals. However it suspects that both companies had the same proprietor."

Does the term "due diligence" translate into Thai?

Hey fair's fair - why would you need due diligence when you play golf with the guy who's bidding - doh !

[FangFerang]

Yada yada yada. No convictions, no reclaimed money, no arrests. Maybe a 5000 baht fine.

Nothing to see here...move on.

[Lupatria]

There is no corruption here,- it's just another kind of a very special culture farrangs don't understand.

[glasswort]

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"The PACC stated that the futsal pitch construction bid was conducted through e-auction where only two companies submitted their proposals. However it suspects that both companies had the same proprietor."

Does the term "due diligence" translate into Thai?

They were probably the only two companies aware that the e auction was taking place. Were all the proper procedures in place to ensure that the e auction etc was well publicised ?

[lvr181]

Surely the interim Government is not looking to blame all this on one person? I would suggest collusion by many with their hands out for some money! Many heads need to "roll" in this corrupt process. The world is watching, do the anti-corruption authorities and Government have the determination to carry this through? Justice must be seen to be done and quickly.

[richard peters]

In the western countries they hide it better! One Australian state government held the axe over a small but profitable mining company for re-aforrestation of damage caused over 100 years ago, so the mine could not afford the cost and sold out to a secret consortium of mystery directors (probably politicians and assosiates?). Then 25% of the mine was sold to a Chinese company for $100 million; - A tidy 99-million profit was made but the 'copper choppers' were never called in to investigate. Not an isolated case in Australia; - (eg. Australian Eddie Obeid and family is another example that will probably never get to court).

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Yada yada yada. No convictions, no reclaimed money, no arrests. Maybe a 5000 baht fine.

Nothing to see here...move on.

And more than likely, the schools that already have shoddy facilities built will not get proper ones or correct repairs to the existing ones, and none of the school officials involved will be held responsible.

Perhaps Thailand should change the phrase for such projects, and replace the term "public works" with "private profits".

As in, the government yesterday awarded a private profits contract to so-and-so to not build 100 futsal facilities....

[ChrisY1]

Corruption throughout........every project...government or not, is laden with these plebs that insist on ripping the general public........

Catch 'em......take 'em to court.........don't visit them when they're doing time!!

[Tonawatchee]

If medical science could just isolate the Thai cooruption gene.

[SPB65]

I wonder if FIFA are taking note. If so they must be lining up Thailand for a future World Cup host nation. The amount of corruption would surely be too much to overlook.

[lucjoker]

they tried it with tablet pc for each student ,........,.......,football fields ,....

and they will keep on stealing as long as nobody is watching them.

This is called "politics",...but this is too complicated to understand for us "small people "

[Tboy928]

Corruption throughout........every project...government or not, is laden with these plebs that insist on ripping the general public........

Catch 'em......take 'em to court.........don't visit them when they're doing time!!

Hire 10 German workers in every Thailand department , and this would solve 50 prosent of the problem.

[WonnabeBiker]

A nice round sum, 5 million Baht, eh?

The shoddiest concrete work I ever saw was for staff houses built at a government hospital in Udon Thani province. Words fail me to describe the crumbling mess, the bad forms and "workmanship". Seems they hire anyone literally as construction worker?!? And no one tests what's being sold as "concrete"?

By comparison, what I've seen in Vietnam is of a much higher standard.

***

Early this year, government schools were on a spending spree. Paint was splashed all over side walks and lots of planting went down. Meanwhile, the broken PVC water pipes leading to our students having no running water in toilets... It's a disgrace how money gets wasted! Some schools even lack a chair and a table for each student, i kid you not.

[northernjohn]

By new era in Thailand do you mean the investigation of possible corruption? If so, investigation into possible corruption has been going on for a long time in Thailand--it's just rarely a corruption investigation leads to arrest and conviction....it just kinda fizzles out after the initial media fanfare. Now when we see clear evidence of corruption investigations resulting in arrest and conviction (prison time would be nice also), them maybe we have entered a new era in Thailand. But one can hope....time will tell.

Under the PTP government the program was cut back while corruption increased.

A little off topic but close.

Does any one know what ever happened to the police station remodeling in various locations around Thailand and in some cases new ones being built that never really came about.

I believe that was a Democrat project.

[Neilly]

There is no corruption here,- it's just another kind of a very special culture farrangs don't understand.