The Defence Ministry fact-finding committee yesterday insisted that funding for the scandal-plagued Rajabhakti Park construction project in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district strictly complied with legal regulations.
Chaicharn Changmongkol, centre, the Defence Ministry's deputy permanent secretary and chairman of the ministry's fact-finding committee on the construction of Rajabhakti Park, chairs a press conference yesterday unveiling the results of the probe. Gen Chaicharn insisted funds for the project complied strictly with legal regulations. Patipat Janthong
While releasing details of budget allocations and donations for the park project, deputy permanent secretary for defence Chaicharn Changmongkol, who chairs the committee, said the panel had no legal authority to lay blame against alleged wrongdoers.
He said the panel was assigned to gather information on the expenditure of the project and documents which were in possession of Defence Ministry personnel.
Twenty-three people and agency representatives were summoned to provide information for the panel, he said.
"Unlike other committees, which have legal powers to investigate, the scope of power of this committee was to gather information from state agencies, or individuals to give statements as ordered by the Defence Ministry," he said.
He said the committee forwarded its 16-page report to Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.
Gen Chaicharn said the committee examined the accounts of the project's expenses between Nov 30 and Dec 24 and found that the funds for the project's construction were divided into two portions worth 866 million baht.
The first portion worth more than 63 million baht was allocated from the central budget by the Budget Bureau. The money was spent on flooring, landscaping around the park and the park's signs. The second portion of funding was from donations of 802 million baht. The money was used to finance the casting of the giant bronze statues of seven Thai kings, water drainage systems and ground levelling, among other things, Gen Chaicharn said.
He said spending of the central budget and public donations on the project's construction were strictly in compliance with the PM's Office procurement regulations, as well as army regulations.
On Nov 30 public donations which remain in the Rajabhakti Foundation accounts totalled 106 million baht, Gen Chaicharn said.
"The committee has found that the spending on the project has followed regulations," he said, adding that the Office of the Auditor-General is conducting another probe into the park project's budget spending.
Gen Chaicharn also clarified details of the Rajabhakti Bike and Concert event held on Sept 12 in Hua Hin, where money was raised to help finance the construction of Rajabhakti Park.
He said that about 77 million baht was raised during the event. Currently, 76 million baht remains following the deduction of operating costs.
The money is kept in the Rajabhakti Park Welfare Fund, Gen Chaicharn said, adding that spending of the money followed proper procedures.
Gen Chaicharn said the committee had asked people involved in casting the statues to give information, although some of them did not show up.
In light of this, the committee did not delve into details about the issue.
"Elaborating on the issue [in relation to the casting of the statues] without complete information could have a damaging impact on others," Gen Chaicharn said, adding that the committee has only included a note on the matter in the findings report. He said other agencies will investigate the matter in much more detail.
"The committee has tried its utmost to uncover the truth and gather all evidence it can lay its hands on because the issue is subject to public scrutiny. But the committee's authority is limited," Gen Chaicharn said.
He said the "committee cannot decide what is right or wrong".
Gen Chaicharn said he had also asked a former close aide to Gen Udomdej to provide information but he did not show up.
He referred to Khachachart Boondee, who was stripped of his army colonel rank, and faces an arrest warrant in connection with his role in Suriyan "Mor Yong" Sucharitpolwong's alleged lese majeste network and is also suspected to be linked to the park scandal.
After the scandal broke, Deputy Defence Minister Gen Udomdej, who chairs the Rajabhakti Park Foundation, admitted an amulet trader had demanded commissions from the foundries, citing people in positions of authority.
He said he sent an army officer to ask the amulet trader to return the money to the foundry owners. The trader did so, and an army officer later visited the foundries to return the money, but instead they "volunteered" to donate the money back to the army, another source previously said.
The park project was initiated by Gen Udomdej when he was army chief.
Gen Chaicharn declined to comment when asked if Gen Udomdej should resign.
Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda yesterday expressed support for Gen Udomdej.
"I don't believe Dong [Gen Udomdej's nickname] is a person of that type. I don't believe you are involved in corruption. You're a good man," Gen Prem said to Gen Udomdej, as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday led cabinet members and military top brass to bid him New Year wishes at his Si Sao Thewes residence.