Udomdej 'should explain any questions about fee demands'
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But probe into Rajabhakti park found no wrongdoing : Army
ARMY chief General Theerachai Nakwanich has passed the buck to his predecessor, General Udomdej Sitabutr, for a response to allegations of illegal commission fees paid at the Rajabhakti Park project.
But Theerachai insisted there were no irregularities concerning the use of over Bt1 billion in public and corporate donations to the project.
Following yesterday’s release of the Army-commissioned probe into the project, he said the project’s financial accounts were transparent and could be examined by the public.
He said no Army officers, including a major-general and a colonel, had been found guilty of wrongdoing in relation to the project, despite rumours about this.
However, when asked about the alleged illegal payment of commission fees, he said the media should ask Udomdej about this matter. He said Udomdej, now deputy defence minister, implemented the Rajabhakti Park project with good intention.
The Army would take over the operation of the park from a foundation set up by Udomdej. |Udomdej has admitted that illegal commission fees were paid by foundries that built the statues of seven former Thai kings for the park. The “fees” later became donations for the project, he said.
Theerachai said the Army checked the accounts concerning construction of the seven statues, which cost about Bt45 million each, as well as related works overseen by Udomdej, but found nothing irregular.
“I can reassure [people] that there was no corrupt practice in this project and if we find any wrongdoers we will take action against them,” he said, adding that about Bt33 million was now left in the Army’s bank account for the project.
The Rajabhakti Park Foundation’s account had another Bt120 million, he added.
Theerachai said all money associated with the project came from public and corporate donations, as no government funds had been set aside for it.
He said Udomdej remained chairman of the Rajabhakti Park Foundation, but the park would be operated by the Army, as it was situated on Army land in Hua Hin.
The army would seek a budget from the foundation to set up an office to manage the park while the foundation could propose its plan to implement work remaining on the project for approval by the Army, he said.
Theerachai said there were official receipts for Bt20 million in donations made by six of the foundries – money allegedly paid as commission fees.
The Army chief blamed the mass media, especially social media, for spreading rumours about irregularities in the project, and urging the public to consider media content thoroughly. He also played down rumours about a conflict between himself and Udomdej.
Another controversy linked to the projects centred on the Bike for Rajabhakti Park and Concert in September, in which the price for each Chinese dinner table was as high Bt1 million, and each palm tree planted at the park at the event cost Bt300,000.
Theerachai said all cash derived from the event was given to the Rajabhakti Park Fund and he found no irregularities during the probe.
Meanwhile, Vicha Mahakun, a member and spokesman of National Anti-Corruption Commission, said the anti-graft agency had been following the Army chief’s comments closely in regard to the probe into irregularities at the project and the NACC secretary-general would request details of the probe for further consideration.
Asked if the NACC would investigate the matter, he said it was the anti-graft agency’s duty to pursue credible cases and this matter was discussed at its meeting on Thursday (November 19).
