A probe into the controversial microphone project at Government House has not been concluded yet, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha (right) chaired his first cabinet meeting at Government House early in September. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
Three organisations were told to investigate into the procurement: a post-coup budget oversight panel, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Auditor General's Office.
The prime minister said he had received a report only from the budget oversight panel but not the other two bodies.
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"So let's not jump to conclusions that the project is tainted with corruption," he said.
Instead, Gen Prayut urged all sides to look at the good intention of the project owner, who wanted the government to use advanced technology.
The Public Works and Town and Country Planning Department is the owner of the project, part of the 600-million-baht Government House renovation budget.
With advanced communications tools, the government can hold teleconferences with other countries without having to send representatives to overseas meetings, Gen Prayut said.
High-technology devices will also facilitate meetings with officials in remote areas for quick responses to disasters.
While denying the microphone sets were bought to please his government, he pointed out Thailand had never had advanced microphones for cabinet members.
"It's not the case a new cabinet has to have new microphones. My voice is loud enough. I don't even need one," he said.
If the probe found corruption, those responsible for the procurement will be punished, he said.
He also said the problems with the project were that there was no median price for it and the price had yet to be bargained.
"Don't think the government asked for it. For instance, I never wanted a new chair. I can sit on the floor; it doesn't matter to me. There's no need to have expensive accessories. But I use them because I have to maintain the image of our country, not my own," he explained.
It was earlier reported that 192 new microphones were ordered and installed at Government House and Asavasopon Co, the supplier, quoted each at 145,000 baht although its market price as shown on some websites is 99,000 baht.
Monthol Sudprasert, director-general of the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, insisted on Tuesday that he did nothing wrong.
He said that the procurement had not been sealed and bargaining was underway. He also urged all concerned parties to elaborate on the lower price of 99,000 baht, whether it was the same type and really available elsewhere.
Mr Monthol also said that existing microphones for cabinet meetings were old.