A National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) investigative panel has voted 3:3 in finding MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra and BTS Group Holding chairman Keeree Kanjanapas, guilty of violating the Public-Private Partnership Act (PPP Act) and the Act on Offences Relating to Government Bidding and malfeasance in office regarding the three extensions of the Green Line train or BTS system.
An informed source close to the investigative panel said the finding is in line with Section 23 of the Anti-Corruption Act, which specifies that at least half of the votes of the panel are required to find a suspect guilty.
The panel ruling, which was adopted yesterday (Monday), will be forwarded to the NACC, which will have the final say on the case.
Earlier this year, the NACC charged 12 individuals, mostly city officials, including Sukhumbhand and chairman of Krungthep Thanakom Company, a subsidiary of the BMA, Keeree, Krungthep Thanakom and BTS Group Holdings (BTSC), with violating the PPP Act and Act on the Offices Relating to Government Bidding.
The alleged infringements concern Krungthep Thanakom Company contracting BTSC to operate three extension lines of the Green line: from On Nut station to Bearing station; from Taksin station to Wongwian Yai station and between On Nut and Mor Chit and between the National Stadium and Taksin station for 13 years, which are due to expire simultaneously in 2042.
