Courtesy: Bangkok Post


Pheu Thai seeks futsal arena probe

4/12/2012

The Pheu Thai Party has submitted a petition to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) seeking a probe into alleged irregularities in the Bangkok Futsal Arena's construction.

The arena was built by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), which is controlled by the rival Democrat Party.

The petition, filed by deputy Pheu Thai spokesman Jirayu Huangsap, asked the DSI to examine the BMA's deal with the building contractor, EMC Plc, and how the 1.3-billion baht budget for the stadium was spent.

Pheu Thai claims there are several irregularities surrounding the project. These include price collusion, unlawful changes to the stadium's design which contravened safety regulations and an attempt to conceal contract details.

The contract said construction was to take place from January 2012 to April 2013 despite the BMA knowing it had to be ready for last month's Futsal World Cup, Pheu Thai alleges.

The stadium was rejected by Fifa soon after the Nov 1-18 tournament started because of safety concerns. The games were played in three alternative venues in Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Pol Lt Col Anurak Rojananirankij, commander of the DSI's criminal litigation bureau, accepted the petition. He said if there is evidence to justify the complaint, the DSI would investigate further.

Meanwhile, the DSI yesterday forwarded a graft case involving the 5.3-billion-baht procurement programme for vocational schools to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for further action.

A DSI investigation revealed several colleges had received unwanted, overpriced and low-quality learning materials under the procurement programme.

Four people have been implicated for suspected irregularities. They are former education minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat and his deputy Narissara Chawantanpipat, who both served in the Democrat-led government, Jiang Wongsawassuriya, former director of the Policy and Planning Bureau of the Office of Vocational Education Commission, and Bamrung Aramrueng, director of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Technical College.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com