The Nation
January 30, 2003

PM says Sirithan removed to clear way for Klong Dan probe.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday that the removal of Sirithan Pairojborriboonas as head of the Pollution Control Department (PCD) would help an
investigation into the corruption-riddled Klong Dan wastewater treatment project.

The PCD oversees the Bt23 billion project. “The investigation needs more evidence and in-depth information, so he must be removed first,” Thaksin said after the Cabinet
approved Sirithan’s removal, effective immediately.

The preliminary investigation found that allegations of corruption in the project were sound and involved politicians, businessmen and government officials, Thaksin said. “The project has been riddled with mistakes since the beginning, including the land purchasing process and relocation of the sites. So, further detailed investigation is required. To this end I have ordered the investigation team to report regularly while the National Counter
Corruption Commission [NCCC] conducts a similar parallel investigation,” he said.

“The government wants to make a firm decision over the project, just as we did for the Bo Nok and Hin Krut projects. But we want to make sure that we are not sued by the construction companies after the decision is made,” he said. None of those found to be involved in any graft related to the project will escape punishment, including politicians of his party, Thaksin said.

Meanwhile, Sirithan said he had no complaints about his removal and in fact felt honoured with his new post as part of the PM’s advisory team.

“My removal does not mean I am guilty or involved in the alleged corruption. I support the investigation,” he said.

“In fact, it has been my dream to work at Government House as part of the premier’s advisory team. Since the allegations surfaced I have never had the chance to clear myself. But now I might have,” he said.

At the time of his removal, Sirithan was the director-general of the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion after serving for a short time as PCD director-general. It was Sirithan who signed the land purchasing deal for the project.

“If I am guilty, then the Cabinet should also be guilty as it twice approved deals related to the land purchasing scheme,” he said.

He said he had done his best on the project and was even able to save the state some money, as he had bargained for a reduction in the land price from Bt1.6 million per rai to
Bt1.029 million per rai.

The “expensive” land price for the project is one of the main points raised by opponents of the project who say it reflects the level of corruption and made its overall budget double to the current Bt23 billion.

“We know the land price was higher than the first plan but in that circumstance we had a limited choice. I had done my best on it,” he said.

“I did what I was supposed to have done. Everything followed the proper practices and guidelines, was legal and was approved by other relevant authorities,” he said.

Apart from the land purchasing issue, Sirithan has been accused of being involved in many controversial issues, of which he said he could prove his innocence point by point.