Defence secretary awaits validation
PUBLISHED: 18 Sep 2024 at 04: 52
In response to a recent incident of payments allegedly paid by a US company to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF ), Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai responded to a state that the government had engaged in international corruption, which has become a problem, but the most recent state is still undetermined pending an inspection.
Bribery is never a recent issue involving the government, according to the defense minister. ” 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 Department of Highways ( DoH), and the Department of Rural Roads.
The anti-graft organization made the commitment after it became known that Deere agreed to pay US$ 9.93 million ( roughly 336 million ringgit ) to settle allegations that its Thai company, Wirtgen Thailand, had bribed state companies to win 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 problem cases involving different political post holders 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 alleged that the Defence Ministry would not interfere with the research. ” There are techniques for that”, he said.
He claimed he had no idea whether or not he would continue the military purchasing initiatives spearheaded by his father, Sutin Klungsang.
Procurement tasks, like those for Gripen fighter jet and submarines, may become addressed after the inundation disaster, he said.