Pheu Thai calls for probe on new BTS deal
Play
House panel to be asked to scrutinise BTSC's latest 30-year deal with BMA
The Pheu Thai Party will ask a House committee to look into the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) questionable decision to award huge contracts to the current operator of the BTS system.
“I will raise the issue with the committee on Monday,” the party’s deputy spokesman and Maha Sarakham MP Yutthapong Jarassathien said yesterday.
The Demo-crat-led BMA has landed in hot water after its investment arm, Krungthep Thanakhom (KT), awarded a 30-year operating and maintenance contract for the two new routes – On Nut-Bearing and Taksin-Bang Wa – to Bangkok Transit System Co (BTSC).
BTSC extended its contract for the original route, meant to expire in 2029, by another 13 years. Hence, both contracts will expire at the same time – 30 years from May 8 this year.
“KT is clearly a subsidiary of the BMA, and the contracts it has made or will make should be subject to the Private-Public Joint Venture Act,” he said.
Yutthapong also challenged Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra to engage in a televised debate over the issue with him.
Meanwhile, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdith revealed that he had already put together an investigation team to gather evidence related to the case.
“We will later decide if the alleged irregularities should be considered a special case and come under the jurisdiction of the DSI,” he said.
Pheu Thai’s Bangkok MP Wicharn Meen-chainant said some KT executives were related to high-profile politicians. “Some are going to benefit from the contracts at the expense of Bangkok residents,” he warned.
Meanwhile, a BMA executive hit back at the Pheu Thai-led government saying that some prominent politicians had pocketed 10-per-cent commission from the rail-based projects handled by the government.
“In other words, they have pocketed some Bt40 billion to Bt50 billion,” the executive said on condition of anonymity.
