PRESS RELEASE:
An investigation has been launched into the businesses of Praween Chanklai, or “Kamnan Nok”, on allegations of price collusion for road construction projects and other violations.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is said to be investigating e-bids for two construction projects that were found to have cost more than 300 million baht each. Both projects were discovered to have multiple interested parties purchasing bid forms, but only three bids were submitted for each project, with Praween’s P. Phatanarungrod Construction Company winning both of them.
Authorities suspect pricing collusion and other unlawful conduct were involved in the bid and will question representatives from other bidding companies on why they did not submit bids on these projects.
The investigation followed Praween’s recent arrest on charges of murdering a police officer and injuring another during a dinner party at his house in Nakhon Pathom province on September 6.
The suspect denied ordering his aide to kill the police officer after the victim rejected a transfer request by Praween for his relatives. The incident sparked public outrage over corruption allegations and an attempt to erase evidence of the officer’s death.
The preceding is a press release from the Thai Government PR Department.
