Bangkok Post
February 27, 2003

Construction of the Klong Dan wastewater treatment project in Samut Prakan proceeded without a wastewater specialist, the Special Investigation Department (SID) has confirmed.

Pol Lt-Gen Noppadol Somboonsap, the department’s director-general, said arguments that construction had been supervised by a project manager was irrelevant.

Pol Lt-Gen Noppadol said officials and the contractor were aware of this requirement, but allowed the project to proceed. “This is negligence for which the officials and the private party can be held accountable,” said the SID chief.

Pol Lt-Gen Noppadol said the demand that a specialist supervise the job was a key part of the contract. The specialist was supposed to oversee the design and laying of sewerage pipes.

The project required bidders to include a wastewater treatment expert as a partner in their consortiums. North West Water International Limited, a partner in the successful consortium NVPSKG, pulled out 23 days before the contract was signed.