Corruption in public health and education

PPT has recently posted on what we called “a case to watch.” The case we wrote of was headloined in the The Nation (28 September 2009: “Public health ministry to set up factfinding committee”). There is was reported that the government’s much-heralded “Thai Khemkaeng” (Strengthening Thailand) project was in trouble over corruption. This is the government’s headline stimulus program with almost 1.6 trillion baht to deliver, and with its own website.

The Nation (6 October 2009: “Minister’s advisers quit in wake of buying scandal”) now reports that each and every one of the eight advisers to Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai have resigned. This should be a huge story.

While they said that this was to allow the minister “a free rein to counter a scandal over the alleged rigging of purchases in a Bt86-billion project,” it is clear evidence of corruption.

Dr. Thawat Suntrajarn, one of the advisers stated: “We are uncomfortable with the scandal. We want to show we are by no means involved in the alleged irregularities.” This was in response to rumors that “close aides of Witthaya were colluding to profit from purchases planned under … Thai Khemkhaeng…”.

Meanwhile, “six officials from the Auditor General’s Office met yesterday with Dr Kamron Chaisiri, who oversees the project, to seek more information.”

Witthaya said he had no great knowledge about medical devices so that he had “to rely on senior public health officials and inspector generals….”.

Clearly Witthaya has been duped or is somehow involved. This is a potentially disastrous scandal for the Democrat Party and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is noticeably quiet.

In another report in the Nation (6 October 2009: “OBEC dismisses education corruption charges”) it is reported that the opposition sees and opening to weaken and tarnish the government. They have targeted the Thai KhemKaeng project in the Education Ministry.

Puea Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit “claimed OBEC officials based in Nakhon Ratchasima had expressed suspicion about certain procurement deals. Examples included promises of high priced auditoriums for schools requesting new buildings, while others were promised equipment – also highly priced – they did not want.”

The Ministry has blamed “school managements’ confusion over the process,” a claim also made in the sufficiency economy office scandal.

These remain stories to watch with interest.

OBEC dismisses education corruption charges

Published on October 6, 2009

The government’s Thai KhemKhaeng project has drawn another Opposition allegation of corruption in the procurement process, this time targeting the Education Ministry.
A statement by Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit yesterday was dismissed by Kasama Worrawan na Ayutthaya, secretary-general of the Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC), saying the procurement process would not be finished until next week.

Prompong claimed OBEC officials based in Nakhon Ratchasima had expressed suspicion about certain procurement deals. Examples included promises of high priced auditoriums for schools requesting new buildings, while others were promised equipment – also highly priced – they did not want.

“This entire matter could have been prompted by school managements’ confusion over the process, or based on their own speculation about alleged corruption,” Kasama said.

The government is already subject to Opposition scrutiny into a number of procurement deals made by the Public Health Ministry, also through the Thai KhemKhaeng project. Allegations are being directed against the Democrat-led government and Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, a party executive, that items being offered are overpriced and don’t match hospital needs.

As for OBEC’s policy, government schools will be provided with only three major installations: a centre for career development of teachers, a technology-based information centre, and other installations including toilets, Kasama said.

For equipment, all schools are to be provided with items listed in individual menus for their selection. Median prices and specifications of those items are based on experts’ recommendations, minimising the chance of bid-rigging, she said.

Jurin said all of his policies were transparent and he would welcome tip-offs over irregularities.