Ex-deputy EVENING wins cop shop graft case
The Supreme Court’s Felony Division for Slots of Political Positions has acquitted former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban of data corruption in projects to create police stations plus living quarters whilst he was mouthpiece prime minister several years ago.
The court also acquitted five co-defendants in the case — three senior police officers, the construction company and its managing director.
The projects were approved during the administration of then excellent minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, when Mr Suthep was a deputy primary minister.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) filed the case with the courtroom, alleging malfeasance plus price collusion in government projects through June 2009 to April 2013.
One project relates to the construction of 396 police stations, worth five. 84 billion baht, which was endorsed by Mr Abhisit’s cupboard.
Many of the police stations had been left unfinished when the contractor, which was owning a number of construction websites at the same time, allegedly dumped the project.
The NACC also found grounds meant for allegations relating to the building of 163 blocks of police flats which had been suggested along with the police place project. The same company was also contracted to create the flats which also suffered delays.
Mr Suthep and Pol Gen Pateep Tanprasert, former acting national police chief, were accused of wrongfully combining all the regional construction contracts into one.
The contract was after that awarded at an unusually low price to a single contractor, PCC Advancement & Construction Co.
Pol Maj Gen Satja Kochahiran and Pol Lt Col Suriya Jangsuwan, who were to the bidding committee, were accused of declining to verify the particular quote.
Wisanu Wisetsing, the PCC Development & Construction managing director, was accused of tendering a quote that was too low as well as the company of failing to finish the work.
The court found that the Regal Thai Police got the authority to decide how it would award the construction agreement and Mr Suthep could not be held responsible for any malfeasance.
The court also found that Pol Gen Pateep handled the project in compliance with regulations, and there was simply no evidence that Pol Maj Gen Satja and Pol Lt Col Suriya acquired any vested interest.
The organization and its managing movie director were thus considered innocent, and the lower quotation was the industry’s own decision plus did not cause any kind of damage to the state.
Speaking after leaving court on Tuesday, Mr Suthep said he had been glad to have cleared his name.
“I co-founded the particular Action Coalition regarding Thailand (ACT) Celebration which has five MPs and one cabinet minister in the government. I have already been under attack [over the case] for any decade. But to any extent further, I have great comfort to carry on.
“I will not stand in an election, but will help groom good politicians to work for your people. I will do anything I can to help. I will keep the guarantee I made when leading the demonstration that I will not return to politics, ” mentioned Mr Suthep, previous leader of the now-defunct People’s Democratic Change Committee.
Asked if the RESPOND will support Style Prayut Chan-o-cha holding on as perfect minister, Mr Suthep said it is unclear how the Constitutional Courtroom rules on his eight-year tenure as leading on Sept 30.