Private sector to observe implementaion of Thailand's mega projects

BANGKOK, October 3 (TNA) - The Thai government will allow the private sector to observe the implementation of its 2.2 trillion-baht mega-investment projects, beginning with a plan to purchase 3,183 natural gas-fueled buses, worth 13.16 billion baht. Representatives of the Anti-Corruption Network of the Thai private sector were invited to attend a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong in Bangkok on Thursday, in which government authorities concerned also participated, during which they were briefed on the government’s 2.2-trillion-baht new mega-projects to be funded by loans. Kittirat told journalists that, to ensure transparency, the Thai government has drafted a regulation of the Prime Minister’s Office to allow representatives of the private sector to observe implementation processes, with their participation to start with the Thai government's plan to procure 3,183 passenger buses fueled by natural gas for vehicles (NGV) of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana acknowledged, meanwhile, that the Council of State has already approved the draft regulation and it will be proposed to the Thai Cabinet for further consideration and a decision within a few weeks. Pongthep noted that experts from the private sector will be registered and selected to join the government's separate transport project investment committees as observers who can report their findings of any irregularity concerning procurement and the approval of the official investment plans to their committees although they will not have decision-making authority on the investment because they may be stakeholders. (TNA)