Activist calls for probe into submarine deal ‘abnormality’
By Jakrawan Salaytoo
The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Activist Srisuwan Janya on Thursday filed a petition to Auditor-General Pisit Leelavachiropas asking him to investigate what he termed an abnormality over the Cabinet’s approval of the Bt13.5 billion purchase of a submarine from China last week.

 

Srisuwan questioned whether there could be conflicts of interests in the government-to-government deal’s terms of reference. 

 

He was also concerned whether the decision was justified as it apparently went against current economic conditions, with Thailand’s treasury reserves at a 10-year low.

 

Thailand is also not involved in any regional conflicts that would require it to accumulate military hardware, he added.

 

Such action could violate the 1992 regulation of the Office of the Prime Minister on procurement and the 2017 constitution that obliges any government to strictly follow the fiscal and financial discipline for the public benefit, he said.

 

“I just don’t want this to end up like the GT200 case,” he added, referring to the Army’s notorious multi-million-baht purchase of bogus bomb detectors between 2005 and 2009.

 

Pisit, meanwhile, responded that his office has already begun examining the submarine deal, considering its budgetary appropriateness and the long-term maintenance plan.

 

However, the OAG office had not yet received any relevant documents to enable an investigation.

 

“Those papers are red-cornered, meaning that they are confidential and won’t be forwarded to our office,” Pisit said “But we plan to assign some senior officers who can keep security secrets to investigate the matter.”

 

Prior to submitting his petition, Srisuwan said he was contacted by an unnamed security officer, asking him to stop filing the petition without giving reasons. 

 

“I wonder why the security forces feel uncomfortable about me practising constitutional rights,” he said. “The more they pressure me, the more they show what kind of regime they are.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30313542

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-27

1 minute ago, webfact said:

Prior to submitting his petition, Srisuwan said he was contacted by an unnamed security officer, asking him to stop filing the petition without giving reasons. 

He should be careful. I can see him being "invited" for an "attitude adjustment" session.

Yes, he should be careful.

 

Can see them enlisting this chap, and others questioning the junta, to help test the torpedo tubes.

Brave man. I wish him luck.

Doesnt Prayut's nephew run a construction company.

 

Im sure he can give a cheap price for building nice, new, shiny submarine docks.

Thailand has been way over due to start developing a submarine armada. All the other cool kids have them after all.

Pisit said “But we plan to assign some senior officers who can keep security secrets...

 

Bwaaah!!!! No Thai can keep a secret :)

16 hours ago, webfact said:

“I wonder why the security forces feel uncomfortable about me practising constitutional rights,” he said. “The more they pressure me, the more they show what kind of regime they are.”

Sadly, those rights are for show only .  They are there to passive the public and give stature to the current government next time they get summoned to the UN.  Thais are not actually suppose the exercise those rights.  That would be very bad manners. 

This guy is brave and he efforts are a good one  Who is going to attack Thailand that we need subs

 

DIVE DIVE DIVE OPEN TORPIDO TUBS LAUNCH TORPIDOS

 

Sir did the torpedoes hit its target

 

YES we got the tourist boat 

21 hours ago, webfact said:

“The more they pressure me, the more they show what kind of regime they are.”

Your just playing catchup

Srisuwan has just spent a day in military custody over the plaque affair. Now straightaway this.

Future leader.

I hope he stops using the internet!

I would have thought that the money could be better spent on other things, especially when I see some of the OLD cars and busses on the roads.