Three top Defence officials to choose members of Rajabhakti probe panel

The ministry decided to set up a fact-finding panel in the wake of the corruption scandal, after it became clear that the probe conducted by the Army had failed to ease public uproar.
“The Defence Ministry’s permanent secretary General Preecha Chan-o-cha and one of his deputies, General Porpon Maneejan, won’t take part in the nomination because they used to work on the Rajabhakti Park project in some aspects,” a source revealed yesterday.
The source added that the three officials in charge of the nomination were Admiral Utai Rattarangsee, General Chanchai Changmongkhol and Air Chief Marshal Siwakiat Chayema. “After they decide on the nominations, it will be reviewed by Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan.”
Funded by about Bt1 billion in donations, the project has developed a grand park in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district and erected huge statues of seven Thai kings under the Army’s supervision.
Soon after its inauguration, the park was at the centre of a big corruption scandal. There were many allegations about the project’s irregularities such as illicit kickbacks from foundries and questionable management of donations.
The same source said it should be clear before the end of this week as to who will sit on the fact-finding panel.
Meanwhile, statesman and Privy Council President General Prem Tinsula-nonda yesterday presided over the official launch of the Anti-Corruption Museum.
Prem praised the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which established the museum, for working so hard to fight graft. “If children understand the dangers of corruption, there is a hope it will end,” he said.