Rajabhakti Park probe panel to collect evidence

[webfact]

SCANDAL
Rajabhakti Park probe panel to collect evidence
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE committee investigating the Rajabhakti Park construction project is looking at all evidence and will summon those involved for interrogation.

Maj-General Kongcheep Tantrawanich, the Defence Ministry spokesman, said yesterday that General Chaichan Changmongkol, deputy permanent secretary for defence and also head of the probe committee, arranged a meeting to set up the investigation framework.

Kongcheep said the board would gather all related evidence from every agency that took part in the project and also invite Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr, who worked on the project, to shed light on every step of the royal park's construction and all suspect issues as soon as possible.

"It will take time for the committee to work carefully and properly to come out with clarity about the project," he said.

He said Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon was welcome to probe the project using other governmental mechanisms to support the investigation.

Sources said the committee might also invite Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr, who was directly responsible for the project when he was army chief, to provide information.

Prawit signed an order last week appointing General Chaichan Changmongkol to chair the committee.

Meanwhile, Panthep Klanarongran, secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), said the agency was preparing evidence of graft in the Rajabhakti Park construction project and would present it at a committee meeting tomorrow.

Panthep said the meeting would also discuss the Office of the Auditor General (OAG)'s discovery that Bt63.57 million of the project's funding came from the Budget Bureau and how the NACC will deal with the issue, as the OAG normally transfers corruption cases to the NACC.

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_en/news/news_detail/WNEVN5811290010010

-- The Nation 2015-11-30

[z42]

Wouldn't it be good to name and shame this supposed amulet trader? He has supposedly shipped out & the foundry owners are supposedly going to come out and say at was him who demanded cash kickbacks for casting statues. Why not name him? He is unlikely to sue for defamation when outside the country is he?

Everything the army has done on an investigative level has been about as evasive as it can possibly get. Another committee won't do anything because the army are simply off limits until they absolutely have to find a fall guy. This is an internal issue and the likelihood of them dragging some fall guy in at this stage seem slip to impossible

[Wilsonandson]

Summon those involved for interrogation? Bit strong worded, summon those for questioning is better. The sentences" who worked on the project" and "who was directly responsible for the project" are also a bit strong worded. Sounds like they have their suspect, why then collect evidence?

[aussieinthailand]

Some could say that the ones that got huge amounts of the "donated" money are the ones that are untouchable, so down the food chain we go until there is an acceptable person that will agree to take a holiday in gaol for a year or two with a nice payday when he gets out.

Ahhh justice in the land of scams, it's poetry realy.

[Srikcir]

Should not Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr and all others who might be involved in possible corruption be transferred to an inactive station while the investigation is ongoing? Like many RTP and civil service officers are with the excuse that they might affect any evidence?

But this is the military and they seem to abide by a different standard. If you're on the right side of the military - you're on the right side of the law.

[jesimps]

Should not Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr and all others who might be involved in possible corruption be transferred to an inactive station while the investigation is ongoing? Like many RTP and civil service officers are with the excuse that they might affect any evidence?

But this is the military and they seem to abide by a different standard. If you're on the right side of the military - you're on the right side of the law.

You know what they say "Might is right". In other words, are you going to argue with huge big guns pointed at you? Are you hell.

You're going to wave a little yellow flag and shout "Nice one Mr General Prime Minister Prayuth sir".

[ratcatcher]

Summon those involved for interrogation? Bit strong worded, summon those for questioning is better. The sentences" who worked on the project" and "who was directly responsible for the project" are also a bit strong worded. Sounds like they have their suspect, why then collect evidence?

I get your point, but this is the military here, not the police. The military interrogates, the police ask questions.

Attitude adjustment is an extra free service they offer.