The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has found sufficient grounds to pursue charges against former deputy interior minister Krieng Kaltinan, members of his family, former municipal officials and business associates over allegations they split 43.2 million baht in road construction contracts to circumvent competitive bidding.
The case centres on road construction and expansion projects carried out by Ubon Ratchathani Municipality during the 2006 fiscal year.
According to the NACC, between December 2005 and January 2006, Mr Krieng, then an MP for Ubon Ratchathani, instructed advisers to the mayor and municipal engineers to survey, design and estimate the cost of road projects. Investigators allege the projects were divided into contracts worth no more than 2 million baht each, allowing the municipality to use price quotations instead of open competitive bidding.
The municipality later submitted the projects to the Department of Local Administration for funding.
The NACC said former Ubon Ratchathani mayor Rojana Kaltinan signed funding requests for 26 projects worth more than 43 million baht in two batches. The municipality eventually secured funding for 24 projects before beginning procurement.
Investigators said the municipal clerk and the engineering director objected, arguing that several road sections formed continuous works whose combined value exceeded the legal threshold for competitive bidding. Despite their objections, the municipality continued using price quotations for several projects, although it later switched some contracts to electronic auctions (e-auctions).
The NACC also found evidence that officials selected contractors in advance. Investigators allege they determined which companies would buy bid documents, submit quotations and ultimately win individual contracts.
The investigation found that competing bids were submitted solely to create the appearance of lawful competition. It also found links between several contractors and Mr Krieng, his relatives and other defendants.
Financial records showed that after contractors received payments from the municipality, some of the money was transferred to Mr Krieng, Ms Rojana, Kan Kaltinan and other associates. The NACC said the transactions supported its findings.
Based on the evidence, the NACC resolved to pursue charges against Ms Rojana, former deputy mayor Pongsak Moolsarn, Mr Krieng, Mr Kan, Rattika Kaltinan, executives of several partnerships and other associates for alleged violations of Section 151 of the Criminal Code, the 1999 Act on Offences Relating to the Submission of Bids to State Agencies and other relevant laws. It dropped charges against several company representatives and other suspects due to insufficient evidence.
The commission will forward its report and case files to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecution before the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. It will also notify the Election Commission for further action.
