Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has scrapped the purchase of the controversial sound system for Government House's meeting rooms pending an investigation into the project's alleged lack of transparency and high prices.
Gen Prayuth said yesterday he had ordered the removal of the sound system from a meeting room and other rooms in Government House.
The project would be revised and a panel has been set up to look into the procurement process, he said.
When asked if he thought the price of 145,000 baht for each microphone was reasonable, Gen Prayuth said the price didn't seem right.
An investigation was underway to determine if the price quoted by the supplier was appropriate and if the equipment was really as high-tech as claimed, he said after yesterday's cabinet meeting.
The microphones were bought so people in the meeting rooms could engage in remote conferencing.
"In fact, we need good electronic equipment for remote conferencing so we can see everyone clearly while giving orders. We came up with this idea because we are preparing for the launch of the Asean Economic Community," Gen Prayuth said.
When asked what he thought was a reasonable price for a microphone, Gen Prayuth said that as far as he knew the microphones had just been imported and it was hard to work out a median price with other models.
The procurement of the equipment was still at the negotiation stage, he said. The microphones were loaned to Government House for a trial period.
The supplier, Asavasopon Co, had an order for 192 microphones to be installed at Government House.
The panel would investigate whether the sound system really suited the government's needs and should be purchased, he said. The old sound system would be used temporarily, he said.