Bangkok Post – Chadchart suspends fitness equipment program

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt on Friday suspended the 40 million baht procurement program for fitness equipment to be installed in three sports centers of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

According to Mr Chadchart, equipment worth 15.69 million baht was procured for the On Nut Sports Centre, equipment worth 12.11 million baht for the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Min Buri district and equipment worth 11.01 million baht for the Mitr Maitree Sports Centre in Din Daeng district.

The suspension followed a complaint from anti-corruption club Strong Thailand, which said on Wednesday it had found irregularities at seven other BMA sports centers that had resulted in losses of at least 103.2 million baht.

On Friday, Mr Chadchart ordered the BMA’s anti-corruption committee to investigate the seven centres in question.

The BMA will refer the findings to the National Anti-Corruption Commission if illegal practices are found, he said. It will also cooperate with the State Audit Office and the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission in the investigation, he said.

According to Somboon Homnan, BMA Deputy Secretary, the sports equipment has already been installed in four BMA centres.

The supply of equipment to the other three centers has been suspended due to the investigation.

On Tuesday, the Strong Thailand Anti-Corruption Club said on Facebook that two BMA sports centers had purchased overpriced equipment, including an electric treadmill for 759,000 baht and a spinning bike for 484,000 baht.

The next day, it was reported that further irregularities had been found at seven other BMA sports centres, with total damages amounting to 103.2 million baht.

Bangkok Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon said on Facebook that public participation in any procurement investigation was welcome.

Mr Sanon said that making administrative spending “visible” to the public has contributed to administrative progress as the public can now protect the taxes they pay to the government.

However, the irregularities in the local government’s procurement process tarnished the good intentions of BMA officials towards the city. Mr Sanon added that these irregularities were “elephants in the room”.