The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has requested a month to prepare its investigation into alleged mishandling of Skytrain concessions.
On June 27, DSI director-general Tarit Pengdith asked that the government’s Special Investigation Committee to assign the DSI to investigate deals between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS). He suspects that the BMA is not authorized to extend the contract to provide services on the original Green Line and two extended routes, the Bangkok Post reported.
He yesterday asked Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit if the decision should have been made by the Interior Minister. He said he expects Mr. Yongyuth to answer in 30 days.
In May, the BMA extended the concession contract with BTS by 13 years. The concessionaire already had a 30-year contract with the BMA and with the extension will now operate the service until 2042.
The BMA has also hired BTS to continue services on two extended routes of the Green Line for another 30 years.
The DSI will investigate regardless of whether the Interior Ministry can provide an answer to Mr. Tarit’s question about granting concessions without opening a new tender, The Nation reported.
