Bangkok: Commander Taem, alongside Narakorn, has rallied 30,000 citizens to submit signatures to the Security Committee, urging the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate alleged corruption within the State Audit Office, particularly concerning rushed building designs and the exorbitant use of the office’s budget for purchases.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Maj. Gen. Wichai Sangprapai and Ms. Narakorn Tiyayon, acting as representatives of the public, have formally presented the signatures to a special committee. This committee is tasked with examining the enhancement of construction standards and safety measures, and they have been called to action following the collapse of the Office of the Auditor General’s building. This incident resulted in casualties and significant damage to government property. Mr. Plodprasop Suraswadi, the committee chairman, received the petition.
Mr. Plodprasob highlighted the dual nature of the crisis, pointing out both the physical disaster and the ethical shortcomings of government agencies. He emphasized the importance of addressing these issues to ensure the country’s survival. The committee is committed to investigating the root causes, whether technical, regulatory, or cultural. Although the task is challenging, there is a shared resolve among committee members from various political parties to address these concerns. They plan to seek a resolution to forward the matter to the Chairman of the State Audit Commission for further explanation.
Ms. Narakorn emphasized the public consensus that corruption was a significant factor in the building’s collapse. She noted that previous efforts had been made to hold those responsible accountable, including filing complaints with Bang Sue Police Station against the former Auditor General. The renewed petition aims to expedite the investigation into the Auditor General’s office’s operations.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Wichai expressed that the letter’s submission intends to prompt the special committee to scrutinize the Office of the Auditor General’s actions, which led to over 100 deaths. Despite previous charges against perpetrators, senior officials have yet to face accountability. There is a call for a fact-finding committee to determine the involvement of officials and any potential complicity.
“If you are not ashamed, I am ashamed. The executives must be responsible. Every baht, every satang belongs to the people. If you do not do it, you will be ignored. And I will prosecute every case, whether it is a new or old executive. I will do everything. I have talked to the police that I have evidence of everything. I have all of them. If they do not investigate, I will fight. As a citizen,” declared Pol. Maj. Gen. Wichai.
The committee is urged to swiftly investigate the potential corruption in the construction project of the Auditor General’s office building, examine the historical budget allocation, scrutinize the reasons for the expedited building design, and assess the involvement of the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning. Additionally, there is a call to investigate the excessive budget used for purchasing materials and equipment for the Auditor General’s office.