The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has found suspected irregularities in purchases of medical equipment and essential supplies related to Covid-19 at 19 local administrative organisations (LAOs) during a nationwide inspection.
Pol Lt Col Wannop Somjintanakul, PACC's secretary-general, said the officials have examined spending by LAOs to battle Covid-19 and detected possible price collusion in their procurement schemes.
The inspection was made by the PACC and the provincial offices of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc).
Pol Lt Col Wannop said alleged irregularities included overpriced purchases, failure to check or compare prices, and state officials entering into contracts by paying bribes to suppliers to act as their fronts.
The findings against three local organisations have been sent to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for consideration, he said, adding that five local organisations also cancelled their contracts during the inspection.
Pol Lt Col Wannop said the procurement schemes carried out by 52 local organisations in 30 provinces are questionable and will be probed further.
But he said several LAOs are switching from procuring medical equipment or essential supplies for distribution to directly giving cash to locals to alleviate the economic hardship brought on by the pandemic, following the guidelines of the Interior Ministry, Isoc and related agencies.
