Army says donations paid for park, govt not involved

[webfact]

RAJABHAKTI PARK
Army says donations paid for park, govt not involved
Jitraporn Senawong,
Natthapat Phromkaew
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY PM and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday dismissed calls by Pheu Thai Party and others for the government to explain alleged irregularities in the Rajabhakti Park project in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

The project was initiated by the Army and paid for by donations. As a result, the government and public funds were not involved, he said.

Prawit said people should wait for the results of a probe led by a fact-finding committee appointed by Army chief General Theerachai Nakwanich. The findings were expected to come out tomorrow as per Theerachai's seven-day timeframe.

The minister admitted that some people were targeting General Udomdej Sitabutr, who inaugurated the project while serving as Army commander and Deputy Defence Minister.

A high-ranking Army source revealed yesterday that the committee led by the Army's chief adviser, General Veeran Chantasartkosol, was instructed to be thorough with the inquiry.

The source said the investigation was divided into two: first to examine the transparency of state officials involved, as well as police and military officers and second to review private sector involvement. Anyone deemed guilty of tarnishing the Army would be subjected to severe criminal and disciplinary punishment.

The probe was expected to bring about clarity and transparency before the Army takes over the building of a museum for the project, the source said.

Meanwhile, National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) spokesman Wicha Mahakhun said yesterday his agency would wait for the Army panel's probe result. He said construction of the park was not funded by a state budget and the agency had not seen any links.

He said the NACC secretariat could coordinate, as per the normal procedure, to see if there was any over-budget spending, in which parts, and whether the NACC was authorised to check it. He said the status of those involved would determine if the NACC could probe the issue, because the agency could not investigate a case in which those involved were from positions below C-8 ranking or equivalent.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha noted yesterday that the project was ready to be investigated and the procedure would run its course. Anyone found involved in alleged corruption would be punished. Prayut insisted the National Council for Peace and Order wasn't involved in the project.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Army-says-donations-paid-for-park-govt-not-involve-30273090.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-17

[Mango Bob]

So now they are saying the Army and the Government are not one in the same. But it funny I see so many Generals in Government jobs double dipping with to full time jobs.

[NongKhaiKid]

' Donations ' can cover a multitude of sins, just ask the Malaysian PM.

He conveniently didn't know who had deposited squillions into his bank account so can the army produce a list of the generous benefactors ?

[smutcakes]

There is so much wrong in this article its difficult to know where to start.

[RidgeRunner]

it would be news if somebody didn't rob the budget.

All these investigations and crackdowns are political.

[tukkytuktuk]

Is there more to this story? So maybe they were overcharged for some of the materials, etc, what's the big fuss about? The park is finished and looks great. Someone's winding up someone else is what's going on.

[waldroj]

Army investigating itself. And, NO public funds were involved either.

It's really difficult not to be critical of Thai public officials, police, and the military, really difficult!

One has to wonder why the army in Thailand develop theme parks, while their navy buddies pursue deformation cases against journalists through the courts. Very strange roles indeed for a country's military.

As for the BS about no public funds involved, let's start by asking who paid the salaries of the military personnel in both the army involvement in the park, and the navy's involvement in their protracted court case against the two journalists?

[bassman]

it would be news if somebody didn't rob the budget.

All these investigations and crackdowns are political.

What investigations and crackdowns? Army generals investigating the Army? Nah, doesn't qualify as neither an investigation or crackdown.

[Langsuan Man]

Probe by committee my tush

How about a audit by a real independent auditor armed with a complete list of " donors "

[RidgeRunner]

it would be news if somebody didn't rob the budget.

All these investigations and crackdowns are political.

What investigations and crackdowns? Army generals investigating the Army? Nah, doesn't qualify as neither an investigation or crackdown.

This S.E. Asian Military Junta, since their beginning, has been neutralising it's political enemies in the red camp, police and internally.

It's all about the big prize.

[smutcakes]

For the Government who are not involved, they sure have a lot to say on the matter. How it does not involve the Government when the person who instigated the project was Deputy Defence Minister and Army chief i will never know. Actually it directly implicates Prawit as well given he is Defence Minister and his subordinate was undertaking this. Surely the buck should stop with him?

[IAMHERE]

So what does it cost a falang to enter? If the park was built for 'free' I'd think the entrance fee should be the same for all.

[klauskunkel]

The project was initiated by the Army and paid for by donations. As a result, the government and public funds were not involved, he said.

I was under the impression that the Army per se was a Thai government institution and as such when the Army "initiates a project" it would involve the government by extension. Apparently I am wrong. It's the other way around.

[Langsuan Man]

Wait a minute here

Thailand is under a Military Dictatorship, how can one separate the "government" from "the Army"

Just because Prayut Chan-o-cha took off his uniform, he surely didn't change his allegiance

[casualbiker]

So what does it cost a falang to enter? If the park was built for 'free' I'd think the entrance fee should be the same for all.

seemingly it is FREE entry!

[smutcakes]

Wait a minute here

Thailand is under a Military Dictatorship, how can one separate the "government" from "the Army"

Just because Prayut Chan-o-cha took off his uniform, he surely didn't change his allegiance

I expect they all still get army salary and the perks to..... which are of course paid for by the public, as well as their Government salaries and perks.

[tuanku]

Prickly subject with all those past kings looking on. Not really surprising that people are dying in custody over this. There are probably some connections and sub-currents here no one connected to the armed forces wants exposed. Best way to cover up is to have "a probe led by a fact-finding committee appointed by Army chief General........." when you appoint the probe you can make sure it doesn't get pushed into orifices you would rather not have explored.

[Eric Loh]

Things are pretty much same now as pre coup with all the corruptions, unexplained deaths in custody and throw in lots of resignations and fleeing of high ranking police and military officers. Perhaps all are connected that can only happen when you have a coup and military government. They have the muscle to demand no one ask difficult questions.

[RidgeRunner]

Things are pretty much same now as pre coup with all the corruptions, unexplained deaths in custody and throw in lots of resignations and fleeing of high ranking police and military officers. Perhaps all are connected that can only happen when you have a coup and military government. They have the muscle to demand no one ask difficult questions.

The Army had the muscle to protect the voting polls.

[Emster23]

"Anyone deemed guilty of tarnishing the Army would be subjected to severe criminal and disciplinary punishment."

Ummm..... shall we start at the top this time?

[tuanku]

"Anyone deemed guilty of tarnishing the Army would be subjected to severe criminal and disciplinary punishment."

Ummm..... shall we start at the top this time?

Base metals tarnish really easily

[kennw]

The main question to be answered is " was there corruption" it doesn't matter which pocket the money came from, it's the principle that counts. After all, isn't that one of the Gov'nts key policy platforms.

[LannaGuy]

smoke and mirrors

[smutcakes]

I know the army find this difficult to fathom, but they are paid for by the public, and they are supposed to be under control of the Government. The project was under the control of Deputy Defence Minister, who is an army General, his boss the Defence Minister and Deputy PM is an Army General and their boss is also an army General....

The fact they are simply going to be able to brush this away and everyone is to scared to even question it, is very worrying for the coming months/years.

[inzman]

Even the people making the "donations"for this deserve to know where the money went. Or is transparency not an issue when donations are made? Not a good excuse to the philanthropists.

[waldroj]

inzman:

Maybe, most of the "donors" already know where the money went! A sort of opaque transparency if you will.