Bangkok Post
October 4, 2002

A Senate committee will investigate a list of alleged irregularities in connection with the construction of the Klong Dan waste-treatment plant after a former engineer on the project lodged a petition to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In his petition, Narapong Somsakul details changes in specifications and building materials for the plant, which had led to an increase in costs from 12 billion baht to 23 billion baht.

Mr Narapong also levelled allegations of foul play in connection with acquisition of land for the project, the issuing of documents for public land, and delays in construction.

Construction of the plant has been ongoing in Samut Prakan since 1997.

The Senate committee overseeing the project would visit the site on Monday to investigate Mr Narapong’s allegations, as well as assess the environmental impact of the project, Samut Prakan senator and panel chairman Charoon Yangpraprakorn said.

Construction of the plant had been delayed on several occasions by protests from residents fearful of adverse effects on the local environment.

The contract for the plant was awarded by the Pollution Control Department to a conglomerate comprising Northeast Engineering, Vijitphan Construction, Prayoonwit Construction, Sisaeng Kanyotha, Krungthon Engineering and Gateway.