19 September 2023 at 05:53 PUBLISHED
![Cops widen collusion probe](https://static.bangkokpost.com/media/content/20230919/c1_2649166_230919055616.jpg)
The Department of Special Investigation ( DSI ) questioned representatives from 20 companies that participated in state project bidding that were ultimately won by Praween Chanklai, also known as Kamnak Nok, on Monday.
The DSI is investigating the bids for the structure of Highway 375’s Don Toom and Lam Luk Bua sections in 2017 and 2021, respectively.
According to an initial investigation, Mr. Praween’s construction company conspired with others to sway the bids for the two jobs.
After being identified as a vital believe in the deadly shooting of highway police Pol Maj Sivakorn Saibua at his home in Nakhon Pathom, Mr. Praween’s construction company came under investigation.
In Nakhon Pathom and several nearby provinces, his company won numerous street, tower, and bridge construction tasks and offered river digging services.
For the Don Toom – Lam Luk Bua job, 33 firms purchased bid envelopes, but only four participated in the bidding, according to the DSI. Just three firms entered the bidding competition, despite the fact that 32 firms purchased pay envelopes for the other job.
These companies were called in to be questioned as witnesses, according to Pol Capt Surawut Rangsai, chairman of the DSI’s section on cooperation in express projects. The remainder will meet with the DSI tomorrow and now.
On Monday, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to physically investigate the alleged irregularities in the Interior Ministry’s projects. He promised to pay close attention to tasks that were successful despite various complaints.
After Mr. Praween was revealed to be a member of Nakhon Pathom’s provincial committee on monitoring police work, national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas announced on Monday & nbsp that strict screening would be in place.
Surasak Charoensirichote, the government of Nakhon Pathom, announced that Mr. Praween had been removed from the council and that an investigation was being conducted into his membership.