Prosecutors to decide on BTS case
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Public prosecutors will decide soon on whether to pursue charges against 10 suspects including a legal entity over their role in extending the BTSC contract to run the original Skytrain network by 13 years.
BTSC operates the Bangkok Mass Transit System. Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra is among the suspects.
Winai Damrongmongkhonkul, chief prosecutor for special cases, said yesterday all suspects would be summoned to hear the prosecutor’s decision on June 28. “We will look into all evidence submitted by the Department of Special Investigation [DSI] as well as the letter asking for justice from the accused,” he said.
DSI has submitted 5,874 pages of evidence to public prosecutors and recommended the prosecution of Sukhumbhand and several senior executives of the Bangkok Metro-politan Administration (BMA) and its legal-investment arm, Krungthep Thanakom, as well as Krungthep Thanakom itself.
DSI launched a probe into the BMA’s move to sign contracts with the BTSC, operator of the Skytrain, in response to a complaint from Pheu Thai MP Jirayu Huangsap.
After examining evidence, the DSI said BMA executives and Krungthep Thanakom had no authority to sign contracts with BTSC in a way that extends the latter’s right to operate the original system for 13 more years. The DSI claims it violated the Criminal Code and a coup order.
Sukhumbhand said he had already submitted a letter asking for justice. “The DSI has ignored many pieces of evidence and reasons pointed out by the BMA during its probe.”
The alleged wrongdoing related to the BTSC contract took place during Sukhumbhand’s first term as Bangkok governor. He was re-elected to the post in March.
