Ex-Bangkok governor and others faulted over choice of BTS to operate sky train extensions
Former Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra and Praphanpong Vejjajiva, former chairman of the Krungthep Thanakom Company, an investment arm of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), are among 13 individuals and legal entities faulted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for violating public private partnership laws in favour of Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company (BTSC).
According to the NACC, BTSC, a subsidiary of BTS Group Holdings Public Company (BTSG), was granted a 190 billion baht concession contract to operate two extensions of the BTS sky train Green Line, from On Nut to Baring and from Taksin to Wong Wian Yai.
BTSC also had the concession contract to operate the sky train between Mor Chit and On Nut and between the National Stadium and Taksin, which is due to expire in 2029, but which was extended to 2042 to coincide with the expiry the two extensions concessions.
The 12 others found at fault by the NACC are:
- Former Bangkok Deputy Governor Theerachon Manomaipibul
- Amorn Kitchawengkul, director of Krungthep Thanakom Company
- Charoenrat Chutikan, former permanent secretary of BMA
- Ninnart Chalitanon, former deputy permanent secretary of BMA
- Jumpol Sampaopol, former director of Krungthep Thanakom’s Traffic and Transport office
- BTSC
- Keeree Kanjanapas, director of BTSC