Sukhumbhand denies fresh charge in Skytrain case

Sukhumbhand, his two deputies Jumpol Sampaothong and Amorn Kitchawengkul, and another accused, Prapanpong Vejjajiva, met with DSI special-cases officer Pol Lt-Colonel Thawal Mangkhang to hear the additional charge of conspiring to conduct business relating to rail infrastructure without the authorisation of the Interior Minister. 

The charge relates to the expansion of two Skytrain routes: the Silom Line extension from Saphan Taksin Station to Wongwian Yai Station and the Sukhumvit Line extension from Bang Chak Station to Baring Station.

At the time of the alleged offence, Jumpol was chief of the Transport Division at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Traffic and Transport Office; Amorn was managing director of Krungthep Thanakom (KT); and Prapanpong was a KT committee member with authority to sign contracts.

Prior to yesterday’s meeting, Sukhumbhand said he viewed the appearance at the DSI as a waste of his working time. Amorn said the additional charge was just more of the same and denied any wrongdoing. He affirmed he could explain everything from a legal and technical point of view and voiced suspicion that the charge was politically motivated.

Thawal later told reporters that Sukhumbhand had denied the charge, adding that the governor claimed that DSI investigators were bullying him and was considering suing them for abuse of authority. Thawal insisted the case was not an attempt to bully anyone.

Two more suspects – Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) chief executive officer Khiree Kanchanaphak and chief operating officer Surapong Laoha-Unya – are scheduled to hear an additional charge against them this morning(May 3), Thawal said.