Twenty-five city officials have been charged with corruption in procuring overpriced and overvalued fitness equipment for fitness centers in Bangkok.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Deputy Permanent Secretary Nathapong Disayabutr said at a press conference today that a disciplinary committee would be set up to investigate the allegations.
He said the committee has 120 days to complete its investigation, with an extension of 60 days if necessary.
He also said the procurement of fitness equipment for the seven projects violated state bidding practices: Prices were inflated above market value and specifications were unnecessarily narrow, for example.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary also noted that the qualification requirements for bidders set out in the terms of reference had been tailored to limit the number of potential bidders, including requiring them to submit details of at least four contracts concluded with government agencies in the past two years, which goes beyond the requirements set by the Ministry of Finance.
One of the 25 officials allegedly involved in the scandal has resigned, Mr Nathapong said, adding that the remaining 24 were not in the same department or division but were in charge of procurement projects.
