Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr is insisting construction of Rajabhakti Park and its giant statues of former kings was transparent following concerns over possible irregularities in the project.
But he admitted that there was an attempt to demand commission fees during the construction period.
His comments came after the Central Investigation Bureau launched an investigation into possible irregularities in the army's one-billion-baht project.
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Gen Udomdej, who chaired the Rajabhakti Park Foundation when he was army chief, said the park in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province had been developed with the sincere intention of making it a national treasure.
He said the park was funded by donations which were handled by the army's finance department, which was ready to produce evidence for scrutiny.
However, Gen Udomdej admitted that during construction, an amulet trader cited "people in authority" to demand commission fees from some owners of foundries contracted to cast statues of kings from Thai history for the park.
After this was uncovered, Gen Udomdej said he sent a negotiator to ask him to return the money to the foundry owners. When they got their money back, the foundry owners donated it to the park project, he said.
"It had a good ending. We had the best intentions in building the park. We want it to be a national treasure," Gen Udomdej said.
Asked about Col Khachachart Boondee, an army officer attached to the 3rd Army, who has been charged with lese majeste, Gen Udomdej declined to comment, saying the matter was now being investigated by police.
A source said Col Khachachart was told by Gen Udomdej to tell the amulet trader to return the money to the foundry owners. It is understood Col Khachachart has fled abroad.
However, police sources said Col Khachachart was implicated by foundry owners who allegedly said he offered them receipts showing they donated the money to the army instead of keeping the returned commission money.
Meanwhile, in the high-profile lese majeste case, rights activists have called for transparency regarding the death of Suriyan who died in detention.
Human rights lawyer Winyat Chatmontree urged that an autopsy be carried out. The Corrections Department responded by claiming one was carried out and the results will be submitted to a civilian court, allowing judges to officially rule on the cause of Suriyan's death. Such procedures are normal when someone dies in custody, Mr Winyat said.
Not only must authorities abide by the law, but Mr Winyat feels it is crucial that the public have access to information regarding the deaths of Suriyan and another suspect, Pol Maj Prakom Warunprapa, who allegedly committed suicide on Oct 23. Both were detained in the facility attached to the 11th Military Circle. How they were treated while in detention was not known to the public.
"It is the responsibility of the authorities to safeguard the rights of civilians in accordance with the law, even if they are being held in custody," Mr Winyat said.
Pornpen Khong-Kachonkiet, director of the Cross-Cultural Foundation, also called for the military to come clean on how the lese majeste suspects were treated in the army compound
"The lack of transparency in this case severely harms the image of the Thai judicial system," she said.
Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya on Monday defended the prison and said the issue has nothing to do with the military.
It is more convenient to use the prison to coordinate with other agencies because there are not many detainees there, Gen Paiboon said.
Magnificent Rajabhakti Park, centre of the corruption controversy. (Photo by Krit Phromsakla Na Sakolnakorn)
Gen Udomdej Sitabutr, deputy defence minister, former army commander, in charge of building Rajabhakti, insists there was no corruption. (Post Today photo)
