The army believes there is no need for the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) or the media to scrutinise the Rajabhakti Park project after its probe found no irregularities, army commander Theerachai Nakvanich says.
The army's inquiry committee has wrapped up its investigation and found that no corruption took place, Gen Theerahchai said during a press conference at army headquarters on Friday.
"Everything was above board. And all incomes and expenses matched.
"No corruption was found among any of the organisations and people operating the project," Gen Theerachai said.
Gen Theerachai said there was no need for the NACC to investigate the Rajabhakti Park project.
The NACC on Thursday decided it would gather information on the project before deciding whether the case falls under its jurisdiction.
"This is an army affair and we don't need to involve anyone else, including the NACC, since it has nothing to do with corruption," Gen Theerachai said.
"But if we find anyone skimming money from the project, we'll take action," he said.
When asked if the media will be allowed to check the income and expenses for the Rajabhakti Park project, the army chief said: "The media is in no position to do so."
The army set up a committee a week ago to investigate allegations the project was tainted by corruption.
The panel examined the accounts of the project, Gen Theerachai said.
"Since I have to take over the project from now on, I have to know what I inherited and what has been done," he said.
However, the army chief has distanced himself from allegations of "commission payments" in the project, saying these took place during the leadership of his predecessor, Gen Udomdej Sitabutr.
He refused to provide details regarding the alleged commission fees some contractors claimed to have paid an amulet trader who allegedly cited "people in authority" to demand the money from them.
Instead, he told reporters to go and ask his predecessor.
Gen Theerachai also insisted no military officers were involved in the alleged corruption.
"But in the future if a soldier is found to have been involved, we will take action immediately," Gen Theerachai said.
Gen Theerachai admitted that more than one billion baht had been donated to fund the project.
The panel found that after the construction, about 33 million baht in donations remained deposited in the army's account, while about 120 million baht in donations was still being held by the Rajabhakti Park Foundation, which is a separate entity, he said.
He added that information relating to income and expenses was ready to be disclosed.
"Do you want them [those involved in the project] and their all family members executed?
"They did nothing wrong, but you still want to make them look guilty.
"Why don't you consider their intentions. What is wrong with Thai society?" Gen Theerachai said.
When asked if Col Khachachart Boondee, who is said to have fled across the border to Myanmar, had any involvement, Gen Theerachai said the colonel might face charges in other cases.
Col Khachachart, of the 3rd Army Region, faces an arrest warrant for his role in Suriyan "Mor Yong" Sucharitpolwong's alleged lese majeste network and was also linked to the alleged corruption at the park.
The army chief brushed aside suggestions that the Rajabhakti Park project was a sign of the army's "weakness" and that it had left itself wide open to attacks from critics.
He also clarified speculation surrounding the Rajabhakti Bike & Concert event held on Sept 12 in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, where money was raised to help finance the construction of the Rajabhakti Park.
He admitted that a Chinese banquet was held during the event and a banquet seat cost one million baht while palm trees cost 300,000 baht each.
The trees were donated, he said.
Located on army land in Hua Hun district of Prachuap Khiri Khan, the 222-rai park showcases the statues of seven former Thai kings.
The construction was financed by public donations.
Six foundries were contracted to cast statues of the former Thai kings at between 41-45 million baht each.
Payments were made in instalments, though the final instalments have not yet been paid to the foundries, pending quality checks on the statues, a source said.
Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya yesterday hit back at the Pheu Thai Party, which on Thursday issued a statement criticising the government's handling of the Rajabhakti Park scandal.
The party demanded that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon take responsibility for the alleged irregularities in the park project.
Gen Paiboon urged Pheu Thai to produce evidence to prove the veracity of its claims of irregularities.
"I only see them imagining things, and setting people against each other," Gen Paiboon said.
Auditor-General Pisit Leelavachiropas yesterday said there is no proof that money was drawn from the central budget to fund the Rajabhakti Park project.
He added that it was normal for the Auditor-General's Office to examine the accounts of state agencies such as the army, which had given full cooperation.