The Pheu Thai Party on Thursday stepped up its criticism of the government’s handling of the growing Rajabhakti Park scandal, demanding Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon take responsibility for the alleged corruption in the Hua Hin project, which had been approved by them.
The party, which was ousted from power in Gen Prayut's coup last year, alleged in a press release that a senior government figure -- believed to be Gen Prawit -- was ducking responsibility for the scandal and shifting blame to the army, which spearheaded funding and construction of the attraction which features giant statues of former kings.
Regardless of the fact the military owns the park, which sits on army land in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, Pheu Thai said the cabinet had approved the Defence Ministry's proposal that the army take the lead on construction and would receive government funding if donations fell short of costs.
It also said that Gen Prawit, who also is a deputy prime minister, had been the one to propose the project to the cabinet and had attended the park's dedication ceremony.
The party also noted the park sits on army land and donations were received by the army's directorate of civil affairs. Thus the park and donations should be considered state property. As such, Pheu Thai alleged, the government should be responsible for investigating and identifying wrongdoers.
It asserted that corruption did occur, as Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr and the former army chief had already admitted that bribes were paid during the initial stages of development.
The party urged the government to answer questions about the project because it had stirred considerable public concern. It also asked the auditor-general to look into it.
Army chief Gen Theerachai Nakwanich said earlier on Thursday that results from the military's investigation would be revealed at a news conference on Friday.
Meanwhile, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Thursday ordered its officials to gather information about the project so that it could decide whether to launch an investigation.
NACC secretary-general Sansern Poljieak said the office will look at information from related organisations and will accept information from anyone with an interest in the project.
