Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit is insisting that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration had “acted illegally” when it extended the BTS contract.
Yongyuth was quoted by reports as saying that the Interior Ministry never gave Bangkok Metropolitan Administration any authority to decide on the issue of the Skytrain concession.
The statement was allegedly made in response to a query made by the Department of Special Investigation. The DSI is set to submit the minister’s statement in a scheduled meeting with the Special Case Committee on September 7. This will determine if the BMA should be held criminally liable for the Skytrain extension. Additionally, the preliminary hearing will decide if the DSI should pursue the case further.
The BMA, on the other hand, argues that it does have the authority to extend BTS’ management contract over Skytrain. They maintain that the DSI is being unfair and discriminatory in its ruling against them.
BMA is also contemplating to file a counter complaint against the DSI with the Central Administrative Court, the Nation reported.
