Ex-Democrat MP questions three BMA deals

The deals included the announced purchase of 47,000 CCTV units, when only 12,000 units were eventually acquired. 

Another was the questionable extension of Krungthep Thanakom Co Ltd’s contract to operate the Skytrain for another 30 years, even though the company’s initial contract had 17 years remaining.

Last was the Bt39-million “Bangkok Light of Happiness” New Year project in which the Lan Khon Muang was extravagantly lit by Curio Tour & Travel, which won the bidding.

In regards to the New Year project, Wilas said he suspected collusion in the bidding process because it had been carried out very swiftly with no transparency, with only those in an “inner circle” knowing the details. He said he believed the lighting project could have been done at a cheaper price because the scale should have driven down per-unit costs. “The bulbs required for the project should have cost no more than Bt6 million,” he said. 

Wilas added that Deputy Governor Amorn Kijchawengkul had been in charge of the three projects, not Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, as the latter had given his deputies exclusive rights to make decisions on projects for which they were responsible. 

The former MP also said he was not worried about a countersuit filed by Sukhumbhand because his intentions were honest in his review of alleged corruption. 

Wilas also filed a petition with the Office of the Auditor General, which he said had a good record investigating collusion in the bidding process.