Defence secretary awaits validation
PUBLISHED: 18 Sep 2024 at 04: 52
In response to a latest incident of payments reportedly paid by a US company to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF ), deputy prime minister and defense secretary Phumtham Wechayachai responded to the ongoing research that the government has engaged in international corruption.
Bribery is hardly a new issue affecting the military, according to the defense secretary. ” It’s been around for a long time”, he said.
He claimed he has no examined the specifics of the most recent incident. ” But I’ll have a look after. According to Mr. Phumtham, who stated that his top priority is directing the military’s relief efforts for flood victims in the North and Northeast,” I do n’t have information yet.”
The National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NAC ) promised to investigate reports that claimed US-based Deere, a company that deals in agricultural and construction equipment, paid bribes to obtain contracts with the RTAF, the DOH, and the DRO.
The anti-graft organization made the commitment after it became clear that Deere agreed to pay US$ 9.93 million ( roughly 336 million ringgit ) to settle allegations brought by the SEC after its Thai company, Wirtgen Thailand, was found to possess bribed state companies to get procurement contracts.
The NACC emphasized that this was a common interest foreign bribery case.
The payment claimed to be in the process of coordinating with the US SEC on the issue and gathering information.
The NACC maintained that it would work to prosecute the business and any officers found to possess taken money.
ACM Panpakdee Pattanakul, the heat force’s captain, claimed he was informed of the information and that the gifts were distributed between 2019 and 2020.
Mr. Phumtham claimed on Tuesday that there are organizations that deal with corruption cases involving different political post buyers and state officials. The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission ( PACC ) deals with graft related to state officials, and the NACC with corruption among public office holders.
They must have the freedom to carry out their duties.
Mr. Phumtham claimed that the Defence Ministry would solve the issue without compromising the outcome of the investigation. ” There are techniques for that”, he said.
He claimed he had no idea whether or not he would continue the jobs he and his father, Sutin Klungsang, had started in the field of military purchasing.
Procurement tasks, like those for Gripen fighter jet and submarines, may become addressed after the flood crisis, he said.