The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) has called on the Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) to hold the bidding process for duty-free shops at the agency's four airports in a strictly transparent manner.
The ACT on Thursday issued an open letter aimed directly at the AoT board after it sold bidding envelopes on Monday.
The bidding was stalled earlier following doubts over concessions granted to a single winner to run duty-free shops at Suvarnabhumi, Phuket, Hat Yai and Chiang Mai airports.
To end fears of a monopoly, the AoT decided to split the bidding into two contracts -- one for Suvarnabhumi and the other for the remaining three airports.
ACT chairman Vichien Phongsathorn insisted that the AoT, which is a state-run company registered with the Stock Exchange of Thailand, must show that it is "highly committed to protecting national interests and benefits among shareholders".
He also reiterated calls for the AoT board to adopt an integrity pact to prevent graft during the bidding process.
The ACT has been asking the government, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha since November last year to put the pact into practice.
The pact will allow representatives from the public sector to participate in the vetting process of the bidders.
Mr Vichien also asked the AoT to disclose information on the bidding to the general public.
Not only will these measures serve the best interest of the country, but they are also important to the "honour and pride" of the AoT staff and especially the 14-member board, made up of incumbent and former state officials and experts.
The AoT board is currently chaired by permanent secretary for finance Prasong Poontaneat.
Gen Prayut had earlier asked that parties push ahead with the bidding with the utmost caution, following controversy over the original single concession.
Meanwhile, a working panel has also been set up by the government to consider whether the bidding process for the duty-free shop concession falls under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act.
The PPP Committee meeting, chaired by Gen Prayut, agreed to set up the working panel to study the issue after continued controversy surrounding the concession bid.
