Arow has broken out in Bangkok amid claims that construction of the city’s $2.5bn metro scheme has been tainted by corruption.
The wrangle erupted after the president of the Thai parliament and former deputy premier, Bhichai Rattakul, said he found ‘unacceptable’ behaviour among some the coalition ministers involved in the project.
His comments drew an angry response from Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority Director-General Prapat Chongsanguan.
He said: "Every step, from inviting bids to bid evaluation, was scrutinised by sub committees answerable to the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. No one could do anything at will."
He also denied claims that the Bangkok Metro Company, which has a concession to build and operate the metro, paid about $1M to politicians to "co-ordinate" the train supply contract.
Six major contracts were awarded for the scheme. These include a $600M deal agreed with a Ch Karnchang-led JV in November 1996 to construct the southern half of the network and a $715M contract signed in July 1997 to a consortium led by Ital-Thai Development to build the northern section.
The southern section was contracted under the Banharn administration and the northern segment under the Chavalit government. The four other contracts were signed under the current government.
