Nakhon Si Thammarat: A doctor and a state official are being investigated over their alleged demand for nearly 4 million baht in kickbacks from a construction firm for approving the procurement of a newly constructed building at Pakphanang Hospital.
The doctor, who is on the procurement committee, allegedly told Kraisu Construction Co to pay him 2 million baht while the other member, a public works official attached to the Public Health Ministry, allegedly demanded a Mitsubishi Pajero sports car worth over 1 million baht.
The accusations were lodged by the company with Nakhon Si Thammarat public health chief Phaisan Kuea-arun.
A panel has been set up to conduct an immediate inquiry into the alleged bribery, but it is also required to examine an Aug 12, 2017 document that accuses the firm of failing to complete its job on time, Dr Phaisan said.
Company manager Watthanachai Sitham earlier insisted his company had mostly finished building the five-storey building, except for some minor interior decoration, and believed he was entitled to the final payment the state-run hospital was scheduled to make last August.
However, the procurement committee decided not to accept the work though the hospital has used the building since Sept 5 last year, according to his complaint.
Its decision rejected the company's right to 17 million baht, the last portion of the 50.6 million-baht outpatient care building project contract, Mr Watthanachai said.
Mr Watthanachai later met the doctor for talks, but he threatened to fine his company for failure to finish construction before the deadline stated in the contract if it did not give him the money.
He then met the public works official but was told to buy him the Japanese upmarket sports utility vehicle.
Mr Watthanachai said he was at his wit's end as his company could not afford to pay them while struggling to settle debts it owed to banks and construction material shops.
