New section to confirm prices, set standard
PUBLISHED: 11 Jun 2024 at 04: 58
After preliminary investigation by investigators who found evidence of corruption in their preliminary investigation, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) has plans to expand its investigation into the procurement of exercise equipment for the capital’s public parks.
Following the BMA’s seventh board meeting on Monday, Bangkok government Chadchart Sittipunt and BMA assistant permanent secretary Nathapong Disayabutra made the announcement.
Mr. Nathapong claimed that investigators have discovered a number of leads that point to possible fraud in the state’s procurement of exercise equipment.
He claimed that some of these projects were carried out in contravention of the laws that apply to the surrender of proposals to government agencies.
According to him, the BMA will gather all relevant pieces of evidence and send them to the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) for further investigation. The BMA also mentioned that the BMA is considering forming a panel to look into the matter.
Additionally, Mr. Nathapong mentioned that BMA is thinking about starting a board to review the costs of the products purchased during the upcoming fiscal year.
Mr. Chadchart claimed that he had ordered the lieutenant governor to check the prices listed in the tenders submitted by bidders in an effort to reduce the possibility of bone in upcoming recruitment projects.
He also mandated that BMA officials establish the starting prices for exercise equipment in order to guide upcoming outsourcing initiatives.
Individually, former Democrat Party MP Watchara Petchtong submitted a plea to NACC secretary- public Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, calling for an investigation into the BMA’s workout gear procurement, which cost the city 77.73 million baht.
He claimed that Mr. Chadchart and other members of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council conspired to engage in corruption with other officials, including members of the Move Forward Party ( MFP ) to fund the projects.
Mr. Watchara argued that Mr. Chadchart may step down as chancellor. He called on Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to handle BMA’s purchases.