Bangkok: Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, has affirmed the absence of corruption in the Ministry of Transport’s economic stimulus projects. He assured that the bidding process is competitive and not dominated by a single private entity. The criteria set by the Comptroller General’s Department aim to inject funds into the economic system swiftly, thereby bolstering employment in the region.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suriya addressed reports regarding the government’s swift disbursement of a 157 billion baht economic stimulus budget, alleged to allow single-bidder projects. He stated that he has only encountered such reports through news media and reiterated his confidence that the Ministry of Transport’s projects involve multiple bidders, ensuring competitive bidding.
In response to concerns about single-bidder projects potentially facilitating corruption, Mr. Suriya emphasized his confidence in the competitive nature of the bidding process specific to the Ministry of Transport. He deemed it unlikely for projects to proceed with only one bidder.
When queried about the applicability of similar standards across other ministries, Mr. Suriya explained that the Comptroller General’s Department regulations were designed to address past instances where projects with single bidders were either canceled or re-bid, only to face the same scenario. The current objective is to expedite budget deployment to stimulate the economy, ensuring funds reach areas quickly to generate jobs and economic impact. The Budget Bureau stipulates that disbursement should conclude by September 30, 2025, necessitating prompt procurement contract signing.
Regarding concerns about single-bid approvals potentially leading to corruption, Mr. Suriya noted that the Prime Minister has already established mechanisms to ensure the procurement process is transparent and subject to audit. Entrepreneurs participating in the bidding process who perceive any unfair treatment are encouraged to file complaints, reinforcing the Ministry of Transport’s commitment to maintaining corruption-free projects.