PATHUM THANI: The provincial anti-graft agency has launched an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the procurement and installation of 30 electric fans in a single room at Khu Khot post office in Lam Luk Ka district, a source said.
The sight of 30 fans mounted on the ceiling of a 60-square metre mail room at the Khu Khot post office, shared by Thailand Post's labour union, has amazed netizens and raised suspicions about irregularities in the procurement of office supplies by Thailand Post Co Ltd.
On its Facebook page, the labour union criticised the spending approved by Thailand Post Co Ltd and claimed the electric fans cost 6,000 baht each, well above the reference price of 2,000 baht apiece.
The source said officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission in Pathum Thani have begun looking into the procurement to determine if there are irregularities.
Wilert Karnsasom, president of Thailand Post's labour union, said the procurement and installation of the electric fans is part of a renovation scheme worth 5.38 million baht for Khu Khot post office.
Of the total budget, 180,000 baht was set aside for procurement and installation of 30 electric fans which cost 4,500 baht plus 1,500 baht for installation.
According to Mr Wilert, the renovation budget of 5.38 million baht was approved by Thailand Post Co. He said the spending has raised questions about transparency in other renovation schemes approved by the agency.
Samorn Therdthampibul, Thailand Post managing director, said management is taking the matter seriously and has ordered a probe into the controversial procurement scheme.
However, she said the installation of 30 fans is the result of a "miscalculation" as only 12 fans were needed.
She also defended a project to build a giant PO box on Chaeng Watthana Road at a cost of 7.1 million baht, saying the scheme is transparent. The box in question is 14.4 metres high and made to look like the landmark ones in Yala's Betong district, she said.