The State Audit Commission on Tuesday implicated Bangkok’s governor and other senior officials in “irregularities” in a 39-million-baht New Year’s light show at City Hall.
Auditor-general Pisit Leelavachiropas told the media today that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's December and January display was tainted by corruption both in how the budget was spent and the contractor selected.
He put the blame on Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, BMA tourism director Thawatchai Jan-ngam, culture director Pranee Satayaprakorb, budget director Yossak Khongmak and five BMA's executives on a terms-of-reference committee.
The five were identified as Sirote Saengcharoen, Wanthana Techasuwan, Phongphan Thanyacharoen, Morakot Phumphanich and Sitthichoke Aphibal.
Mr Pisit said he would ask the National Anti-Corruption Commission to prosecute them. If found guilty, they will face fines of up to 400,000 baht and jail sentences of up to five years.
He explained that the Bangkok governor should not have spent the BMA's contingency fund to pay for the holiday display. He accused contractor Curio Tour & Travel Co of having no experience in the field and said the BMA did not require an experienced track record nor properly studied a median price for the contract.
Lastly, he said, Curio had acquired necessary lighting equipment before the official result of the bidding was revealed.
Mr Pisit said that the Office of the Auditor-General had twice invited MR Sukhumbhand to explain, but to no avail. If the NACC found the Bangkok governor guilty, the governor would have to step down.
MR Sukhumbhand said on Tuesday that he would have to study the matter carefully and would send his written response later. Earlier he had sent his deputies to meet state auditors only to give briefings on the light show project, he said.