RTAF vows zero tolerance for bribery in asphalt deals

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has said it will not protect any of its logistics officers found to have been involved in bribery over two procurements of asphalt concrete pavers in 2019-2020.
AM Prapas Sornchaidee, the RTAF spokesman, yesterday revealed that a probe into the procurements was conducted following an order by RTAF chief ACM Panpakdee Pattanakul.
The comments follow the release of a document by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleging executives with Wirtgen (Thailand), a Thai subsidiary of US-based agricultural and construction equipment firm Deere, bribed state officials to secure purchasing contracts with several agencies.
The RTAF probe found that Wirtgen had, from November 2019 to March 2020, won two e-biddings contracts for asphalt concrete pavers with the RTAF, worth 6.09 million baht and 10.2 million baht.
AM Prapas said a special disciplinary committee would be set up if RTAF officers were found involved in the bribery, adding that any officers involved would face the fullest extent of the law.
AM Prapas said the RTAF is continuing to investigate further and is reviewing all related contracts and procedures based on the Public Procurement and Supplies Administration Act BE 2560 (2017) and relevant laws.
Obtaining accurate and fair audit results for all parties will take some time, but the RTAF will try to wrap up the investigation as quickly as possible, he said. He added that the Office of the Air Attaché at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington is also seeking more evidence from the SEC.