BANGKOK, Oct 7 Thailand’s Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) is sending a letter to Justice Minister Gen Paiboon Kumchaya today complaining of irregularities in a several million baht project to construct futsal pitches at schools in several northeastern provinces, according to PACC Secretary-General Prayong Preeyachit.
Mr Prayong said thorough inspections had been made by PACC officials and it was found that out of 101 schools in the northeast, 39 of them were allegedly involved in irregularities.
Most of them are in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
Initial investigation found that two private companies owned by the same person are allegedly involved in the scandal, said Mr Prayong.
The first company which won the bidding to build futsal pitches also signed construction contracts with schools that received budget for building futsal pitches and related facilities.
He charged that the construction at schools in Nakhon Ratchasima is substandard and much different to schools in two other northeastern provinces – Uttaradit and Buri Ram – where quality is much better.
Mr Prayong said his office would send a letter to Gen Paiboon asking him to approve a joint investigation by the Anti-Money Laundering Office and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to probe the illegal practices.
He said he had discussed the issue with DSI Director-General Pol Gen Chatchawal Suksumjit.
