Bangkok governor rebukes auditor general for irregularities charge



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra today rebuked the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) for its accusation that he misused the City’s central fund for the exhibition of the “Motif of Light” or light tunnel, and of collusion in the bidding for the light show project.

The solemn governor threatened to sue the auditor general for jumping to the conclusion suggesting corruption was engaged in the 39.5 million baht light show project.

At the hastily called press conference today to counter yesterday’s press conference by the auditor-general, MR Sukhumbhand insisted the light project was clean and a necessity to promote tourism that would fulfill the policy of the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

He said the project not only would help to promote tourism but also to generate income to people at grass root.

He explained that as the city administration’s (BMA) tourism promotion budget was trimmed from 241 million baht to just 50 million baht, therefore it was forced to allocate the city’s emergency fund to use in the light project instead.

He affirmed this was necessary and within the authority of the governor.

The light exhibition attracted over 1.7 million visitors and enabled money circulation of up to 10 million baht, he said.

On accusation by the auditor-general that he refused to clarify the project by himself twice but designated his deputy instead, the governor said his deputy had all technical details that he could clarify better.

He said he didn’t intend to avoid answering the OAG’s questions, but was ready to cooperate in the clarification.

He warned that as investigation into the project is still underway, a lawsuit might be filed if the OAG jumps to conclusion that irregularities were implicated and he was guilty.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/162123


-- Thai PBS 2016-05-04

So:

A light show necessitated using emergency funds, and

the 40 million baht expenditure "enabled money circulation" of 10 million baht.

Not sure that was your best news conference there, Gov.

Edited May 4, 201610 yr by phoenixdoglover

How many times can you throw s*** at this guy until it sticks? No wonder people become such megalomaniacs.

Not a crisis, but it'll do until a real crisis gets here…

As always, threaten to sue. Just open the accounting for all to see as proof of zero irregularities. Also, allow full financial disclosure of every individual involved in the project. Nothing to hide, then show us, and forgo the threats.

Personally, I think it would be jumping to a conclusion to assume that there were NO irregularities involved in the project.

1,7 million visitors, 10 million Baht, 6 Baht per visitor? What a success.

Everything I read here and in the news just confirms my lack of desire to want to work in Thailand

As always, threaten to sue. Just open the accounting for all to see as proof of zero irregularities. Also, allow full financial disclosure of every individual involved in the project. Nothing to hide, then show us, and forgo the threats.

Personally, I think it would be jumping to a conclusion to assume that there were NO irregularities involved in the project.

One would assume that the Auditor General has seen the books and has made a judgement , if the Governor isn't overly happy with this report he has avenues to clear his name without the threat of suing , anyroad as usual, this subject will die for lack of interest by the weekend.

He kind of reminds me of Jabba the Hutt.

https://www.google.com/search?q=jabba+the+hutt&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQp-uSzcDMAhUhuYMKHZf-DcwQ_AUIBygB&biw=1280&bih=672