Army deals probe sought
The Association for the Protection of the Constitution (APC) yesterday urged the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate a possible conflict of interest in state construction contracts handed to the son of defence permanent secretary Preecha Chan-o-cha.
APC secretary-general Srisuwan Janya said the association wants the NACC to look into whether there was any malpractice by someone close to a high-level state official landing government projects financed by taxpayers.
He was referring to military building projects won by Contemporary Construction, of which Pathompol, Gen Preecha’s son, is one of three shareholders.
The firm won seven projects with the 3rd Army Region between December 2014 and April this year worth a combined 97 million baht, the Isranews agency reported. The seven projects ranged in cost from eight million baht to 25 million baht.
Mr Srisuwan said yesterday it raises suspicions about whether Gen Preecha had anything to do with the projects being awarded to the firm, which has only 1.5 million baht in registered capital. In that event, he may have a conflict of interest.
Isra reported that Contemporary Construction was formally established on May 4, 2012 with registered capital of one million baht with Mr Pathompol, 33, holding 50% of the shares. The remaining shares were owned by Wallapa Chan-o-cha, 32.
On Dec 18, 2013, the firm recapitalised with a new shareholder, Patcharin Theerawongpassakorn, 35. The firm’s share value went up to 1.5 million baht with Ms Patcharin holding 500,000 baht worth of shares, according to Isra.
Gen Preecha on Wednesday denied having any role in his son winning the contracts, saying his association with the 3rd Army Region had ended before the contracts were awarded.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon appeared to back him, saying the contracts were awarded through e-bidding which guarded against interference or collusion by bidders.
Mr Srisuwan said the matter should be dealt with swiftly. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has championed anti-corruption. However, this controversy has centred on people close to him, Mr Srisuwan said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam said a draft law to introduce punishments against state officials who commit conflicts of interest by awarding state contracts and benefits to immediate family members would not apply in the Contemporary Construction case as it has not yet been passed in parliament.