The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has sacked four officials accused of graft by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in the 39.5-million-baht "Bangkok Light of Happiness" lighting project for the 2016 New Year celebrations.
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang said the action against the four, which took effect yesterday, is in line with the BMA's committee considering disciplinary action.
The four were identified as Pranee Sattayaprakop, former director of the BMA's office of culture, sports and tourism at that time; Thawatchai Janngam, former head of the tourism section of the office at that time; Morakot Phumphanich; and Sitthichok Aphibal, both tourism development officers.
He said that, of the four, Ms Pranee already retired in the post of deputy city clerk but the dismissal order can take effect retroactively. However, all are eligible to petition against the dismissal order with the BMA's merit-system protection committee within 30 days.
According to Pol Gen Aswin, the BMA's merit-system protection committee is an independent panel and it is free to decide on the petitions.
The 39.5-million-baht project featured a tunnel of coloured lights at Lan Khon Muang Plaza in front of City Hall on Din So Road, which was on show for one month from Dec 30, 2015 to Jan 31, 2016.
It involved installation of five million LED lights and crystal light fixtures that critics regarded as a waste of taxpayers' money. Former Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra intended it be a 2015-2016 New Year "gift" and to help boost the local economy.
The Office of the Auditor-General which looked into the issue found there were possible irregularities in the project's spending.
The NACC concluded there were grounds to allegations of budget misspending and collusion in the project. In its findings, the NACC also implicated former Bangkok deputy governor Jumpol Sampaopol in the irregularities.
Pol Gen Aswin said he had instructed BMA units to strictly comply with the 2017 state procurement law and avoid using special methods in procurement schemes unless urgent and necessary such as flood-relief efforts.
He said the BMA must promote and ensure transparency, and insisted he will not approve special methods for BMA procurement projects.
Asked about the transfer of four district chiefs to inactive posts, he said the transfer follows a fact-finding inquiry and it is a punishment for negligence of duty, which is hoped to send a warning to the other BMA officials to shape up.
He said the four district chiefs are from Watthana, Bang Na, Prawet and Bang Bon.
On alleged irregularities involving the renovation of the governor office's at a cost of 16.5 million baht, the governor said the matter is being probed by the auditor-general.
