Park saga takes new turn
Thai Publica, an online news agency, has recently revealed difficulties in seeking information from the Ministry of Defence on the construction of Rajabhakti Park, saying its requests have either been rejected or delayed.
The website submitted a request for details on projects and contracted parties involved in the construction of the park in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, as well as findings of the ministry panel investigating corruption in the park’s construction.
The details could help clarify allegations of kickbacks demanded as commission fees from the foundries contracted to cast the giant statues at the park, it said.
The request was made eight months ago. However, the website reported on Sunday it received a letter just last week from the information centre of the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence, saying it can’t provide the details.
Any decision to release the findings of the panel investigating the park project is subject to approval by the ministry’s information committee, said the letter.
Meanwhile, lists of projects and contracted parties related to the project fall under the authority of the Royal Thai Army. The information centre advised Thai Publica to contact the two information committees for further information.
The news website has questioned the transparency of the project as access to critical information has been limited.
Even though the Defence Ministry has made available expenditure details related to the park, it has not provided lists of contractors and related projects along with the median prices set for the procurement process, said Thai Publica.
The project involved spending 63 million baht from the Central Fund, which is taxpayers’ money, and about 800 million baht from public donations.