THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Schools urged to file police |complaints over futsal field scam

Schools urged to file police |complaints over futsal field scam

THE OFFICE of Basic Education Commission (Obec) has instructed 16 schools in Nakhon Ratchasima province to file police complaints against the contractor linked to the construction of the schools’ allegedly overpriced or damaged futsal fields which are at the centre of a corruption scandal.

The director of the Nakhon Ratchasima National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Office, Mongkol Sarisut, said the central NACC authority held a meeting with related agencies in Bangkok yesterday to draw conclusions on the nationwide investigation into corruption related to futsal fields. He said the names of those involved, including high-ranking Education Ministry officials and national politicians, would become clear next week.

Schools urged to file police |complaints over futsal field scam
Pisit Chodkingon, director of the Nakhon Ratchasima Primary Education Service Area 1 Office, yesterday revealed that Obec had last month instructed him to file police complaints against the contractor and those allegedly involved in corruption. His office held a meeting with 16 schools executives on December 29 about the futsal field corruption. Pisit said he had assigned the 16 school directors to file police complaints against Yee Panichaya, manager of the contractor MAI Limited Partnership, and those involved in the alleged corruption. He said the office’s litigation officials were gathering evidence and witnesses and discussing with public prosecutors before lodging police complaints later this month.
Thai authorities had launched an investigation in 2014 into the Obec project worth more than Bt600 million to build futsal fields in 358 schools in 17 provinces since 2012 following the detection of alleged irregularities. They included substandard and damaged turf, while some of the budget was diverted for other projects.
More than half the budget – Bt335 million – have been spent to build futsal fields in 101 schools in nine northeastern provinces (Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Chaiyaphum, Mukdahan, Surin, Amnat Charoen, Yasothon, Si Sa Ket, and Khon Kaen), and two northern provinces – Chiang Rai and Phayao.
 

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