Ex-governor, 11 others are in conflict over expansion
PUBLISHED: 4:00 on September 14, 2023.
In relation to the extension of the Green Line’s grant contract, the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC) has found evidence to support claims of graft against previous Bangkok government MR Sukhumband Paribatra and 11 other people. The majority of these people were senior City Hall executives during his presidency.
According to Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, secretary-general of the NACC, the agency’s panel met on Tuesday to discuss allegations that MR. Sukhumbhand and others were involved in a plot to illegally stretch the grant given to the Bangkok Mass Transit System( BTSC) to run electric train service along its modifications until 2042.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration( BMA ) hired the BTSC to run the extended line, which connects Saphan Taksin and Wong Wian Yai stations as well as On Nut and Bearing stations.
The deals to provide service along the modifications were originally scheduled to lapse in 2029, according to a cause.
However, in 2012, the BTSC and Krungthep Thanakom( KT ), the BMA’s investment arm, agreed to extend the contract for an additional 13 years.
Former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha fired MR. Sukhumbhand from his position in October 2016.
He was replaced by Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang after being charged with misusing state resources.
According to Mr. Niwatchai, the NACC agreed that by acting in a way that benefits the BTSC, MR. Sukhumbhand and 11 other individuals failed to abide by the law governing public-private partnerships as well as the legal requirement for the distribution of requests for state contracts.
Krit Kiatpanachart, a previous chairman of the BMA’s Transport Division who has passed away, was one of those involved in the case.
In addition to MR. Sukhumbhand, the NACC has named other individuals, such as Chroenrat Chutikan, a previous town clerk, Prapanpong Vejjajiva, former president of KT, Amorn Kitkawengkul, and former deputy governor Theerachon Manomaipiboon.
The BMA’s Traffic and Transport Department ( TTD ) former director-generals Ninnart Chalitanont, Jumpol Sampaopol and Thana Wichaisarn, Keeree Kanjanapas, chairman of BTS Group Holdings Plc( BTS ), Surapong Laoha – unya, a BT executive, and the KT were among the others.