Embattled Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Wednesday threatened to sue anyone suggesting he or his subordinates were guilty of illegal actions before the findings of an investigation into the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s 39-million-baht New Year light show is concluded.
“I want to say that the resolution [by the Office of the Auditor-General] was just the beginning of the continuing [legal] process. No one is right or wrong yet,” MR Sukhumbhand told a news conference. “Anyone who writes so must be careful about legal matters. If anyone says I’m wrong I will prosecute.”
The OAG on Wednesday implicated MR Sukhumbhand and eight BMA officials in alleged irregularities in the BMA’s “Bangkok Light of Happiness” show at Lan Khon Muang in front of City Hall’s offices between Dec 30 last year and Jan 30.
The governor said he is discussing with a legal team how to proceed with the matter to protect and ensure his subordinates receive justice while further action is pending.
“Whoever writes that my subordinates are wrong, I will sue them at once. If you don’t like me, I only ask for justice.”
Wednesday’s findings suggested evidence of price collusion in the contract bid and use of the wrong type of budget by diverting emergency funds for the display, dismissed by many as a waste of money. Overspending and the economic worthiness of the project were also identified.
MR Sukhumbhand argued that the BMA had sought 241 million baht to promote tourism in the city from the government but the proposed budget was cut to 50 million baht. With a lack of funds he decided as a BMA executive that he had to figure out a way to promote tourism. He then used his authority to approve the use of the contingency funds.
The probe results concluded that use of the funds did not comply with regulations and could cause damage to the state.
MR Sukhumbhand, a Democrat Party deputy leader, denied the OAG’s allegation that he had not cooperated with its investigation. He said he had sent deputies to testify on his behalf before the State Audit Commission (SAC) when he was summoned twice earlier because they knew best about the project.
It was normal practice and so he should not have to face the cooperation claim, he said.
He fended off calls from the Democrat Party for the prime minister to use Section 44 to dismiss or transfer him. He said he would continue to work until his term ended and then take a rest.
“I thought the Democrat Party did not support Section 44. I may have misunderstood,” he added.
Soon after the governor’s press briefing, the Pheu Thai Party called on MR Sukhumbhand to resign in a show of spirit.
Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said the public would not have known about the alleged irregularities in the project if the civil sector had not opposed it and demanded a probe be launched.
He questioned the responsibility of the Democrats fielding its deputy party leader as a Bangkok governor candidate.