FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Three panels probing Abac ‘graft’

Three panels probing Abac ‘graft’

THOUGH disputes at Assumption University (Abac) in Bangkok have faded from the limelight recently, inquiries are ongoing into three corruption allegations that led to bitter management rows. And these should be concluded in 90 days.

The disputes have calmed down after an Education Ministry-assigned committee took control of the university. 
Abac’s acting rector Thanu Kulachol said recently the 12-member |committee, led by Anon Thiangtrong, the former rector of Maejo University in Chiang Mai, had already officially appointed three sub-panels to investigate the allegations. 
Each sub-panel includes qualified third-party individuals found to be acceptable to both sides. 
The first sub-panel investigating the issue of a flight-simulator project is being chaired by committee member Booncharoen Sirinaovakul and also includes committee member Supat Champatong, former ombudsman Pichet Soontornpipit and Office of Higher Education Commission (OHEC) official Luckanavadi Klanarong.
The second subcommittee investigating the administration of the Abac Poll is chaired by OHEC deputy secretary general Soranit Siltharm and also includes Chulalongkorn University’s vice president for student affairs Tanit Tongthong, Justice Ministry’s properties examination investigator Chaturaporn Rodkliang and OHEC official Somkuan Wongma. 
The third subcommittee investigating Abac’s accounting practices and properties is chaired by committee Sasivimol Mee-ampol and comprises committee member Supa Julanapan, former head of the State Audit Commission Norachai Sripimol and OHEC official Silaporn Kantha. 
He said the three sub-panels have 90 days to find facts in relation to their respective issues and see if steps were taken according to Abac regulations, whether damage was caused, plus how much and who should be held accountable. They were also required to keep the main committee updated on progress, he said, adding that the committee will meet next month. 
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