Panel to finish ThaiHealth probe soon

Panel to finish probe soon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A COMMITTEE established by the Public Health Ministry will likely convene just three more meetings to conclude its investigation into alleged irregularities and conflicts of interest at the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth).

"I believe it will take the committee headed by Dr Seree Tuchinda just three more meetings to come up with the conclusion," Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn said yesterday. Seree is his chief adviser.

Several organisations have investigated ThaiHealth's budget use.

Asked whether ThaiHealth board members should be suspended from duty pending the ongoing investigations, Piyasakol said he could not go into details.

"We still have to discuss several issues with Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya, the head of the Centre for National Anti-Corruption," Piyasakol said.

Paiboon separately said the Office of the Auditor-General had pointed out that three sections in the Thai Health Promotion Foundation Act had such broad definitions that some portions of the budget was wasted.

"All sides should reckon that these three sections are problematic," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Panel-to-finish-probe-soon-30271737.html

-- The Nation 2015-10-28