The government last night dismissed a claim made by an opposition MP that it is seeking to secure a 10-million-baht budget to procure 130 iPads for the Secretariat Office of the Perfect Minister.
Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana yesterday the allegations made by MFP MP for Chachoengsao Jirat Thongsuwan false, before criticising Mister Jirat for getting his information mixed up.
On Wednesday, Mr Jirat, a member of a sub-committee vetting the budget for the 2023 fiscal year, submitted on his Facebook page saying the Secretariat Office of the Best Minister sought 10 million baht in the budget to procure 140 iPad Pro M1s and accessories.
The MFP MP blasted the particular proposal, noting Gen Prayut had lately purchased 111 iPhone 12s for staff at the Secretariat Office of the Prime Ressortchef (umgangssprachlich) at a cost of second . 6 million baht.
Spokesman Thanakorn said the particular 10-million-baht budget proposition was not meant for the particular procurement of iPads, but 138 computer systems to replace older versions to bring the office in line with current regulations.
Moreover, it had been prepared by the Secretariat Office of the Perfect Minister based on need, not Gen Prayut, he said.
Mr Thanakorn said Mr Nisan had two various schemes mixed up.
The first plan is the procurement of 138 all-in-one computers to replace the old ones, but the procurement Mister Jirat was mentioning is part of a project for the prime minister’s foreign affairs mission, which also consists of the procurement of computers, operating systems, capsules and accessories worth 4. 03 mil baht.
“Mr Jirat is trying to discredit the top minister. It is a rest and he should reevaluate himself, ” Mr Thanakorn said.
Mr Jirat admitted he had made a naming error.
“I apologise for the wrong name of the office but the information about the iPad procurement is correct. In fact , based on the info that I have, I ought to have written 210, not 130 iPads, ” he stated.