BMTA director moved out over bus procurement standoff
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Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has transferred Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) director Surachai Eamvachirasakul to the PM's Office with effect from March 22, Chatchai Thipsunavee, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Transport, said on Monday.
The transfer is related to problems in the procurement of new air-conditioned natural gas vehicle buses worth Bt3 billion from Bestrin Group Ltd. The firm and the Customs Department remained at odds regarding the origin of the buses that were supplied. Bestrin claimed they were made in Malaysia while the Customs Department believed they were made in China. Many criticised the BMTA director’s failure to cancel the contract and find another company who could have promptly supplied buses to serve Bangkok.
The BMTA board is expected to discuss the appointment of an acting BMTA director at its meeting this afternoon.
