Prawit denies links to water filter saga

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has denied any involvement in the allegedly overpriced procurement of solar-powered water filters installed in the southern provinces by the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC).

Gen Prawit, who oversees national security, said yesterday he did not approve the SBPAC’s 50-million-baht procurement plan.

It was up to the centre to decide on this, said Gen Prawit, who concurrently serves as defence minister.

The SBPAC is a key agency overseeing social, political and economic development in the southernmost provinces.

Gen Prawit pointed out that he only approved the transfer of unspent budgets from other projects for use in newer ones aimed at improving local residents’ quality of life.

Taking note of criticism that the water filters may have been too expensive, Gen Prawit said he had ordered a fact-finding panel to be set up to look into the matter.

He said yesterday the SBPAC initially explained to the panel that the water filters were actually bought at a below-market price.

However, the deputy prime minister said he had instructed the panel to provide him with more details.

The SBPAC bought 93 solar-powered water filters for 50.2 million baht, or 540,000 baht apiece, using a special method in project procurement.

The median price for the 50-millionbaht water filter procurement was set on Dec 19, 2016, according to sources.

Of them, 74 were installed in the three southern border provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani as well as in four districts of Songkhla.

The other 19 were installed in Satun and 12 other districts of Songkhla.

According to Isra News Agency, Gen Prawit on Nov 21, 2016 approved the transfer of budget funds left unspent from other projects for use in “urgent projects” aimed at improving the livelihoods of local residents in the deep South.