NACC Region 9 Investigates Abandoned "Conch Shell Aquarium" Project with 1,400 Million Baht Budget, 14 Years in the Making
จากไชต์: Office of The National Anti - Corruption Commission (ONACC)
จำนวนผู้เข้าชม: 209
NACC Region 9 Investigates Abandoned "Conch Shell Aquarium" Project with 1,400 Million Baht Budget, 14 Years in the Making
The National Anti-Corruption Commission of Thailand (NACC) Region 9 officials have visited the site to inspect the “Conch Shell Aquarium” project, which has a budget of 1,400 million Baht and has been under construction for 14 years but is now abandoned. A total of 27 individuals involved have been accused of corruption. The project saw 102 construction specifications altered, making it inoperable and ultimately a monument to corruption.
Kiattisak Putpan, acting on behalf of the Assistant Secretary-General of NACC Region 9, Ram Wasutanapinyo, Director of the NACC Office in Songkhla Province, along with Kittisak Kuapanich, Director of the Tinsulanonda Fisheries College, visited the site to inspect the project for a marine life breeding center in Songkhla Lake. Locally known as “Conch Shell Aquarium,” the project is located within Tinsulanonda Fisheries College, Phawong Sub-district, Mueang Songkhla District, Songkhla Province. The initial construction budget was over 838 million Baht. Additional funds were allocated for the construction of a marine animal nursery and surrounding areas, amounting to an extra 381 million Baht. Another 286 million Baht was requested, bringing the total budget to more than 1,500 million Baht. A private company was contracted for the construction, but ultimately, the project has been abandoned and has remained unused for over 15 years.
Acting Assistant Secretary-General Kiattisak disclosed that the NACC Region 9 office and its officials have revisited the “Conch Shell Aquarium” as part of an ongoing investigation by the NACC. Previously, 27 individuals had been accused, and they are in the process of providing clarifications. It is estimated that the conclusion will be reached in approximately 45 days.
The Acting Assistant Secretary-General of the NACC Region 9 elaborated on the progress of the investigation, stating that corruption cases related to the said project started from the design phase and included alterations to the design. Various stages raised questions about possible favoritism to the contractor since more than 102 work specifications were reduced, nullifying its potential as a museum. The NACC Office is meticulously gathering data concerning the evaluation of the total value of construction from the project, stating that any modifications or changes do not directly relate to the case itself.
Despite the complete disbursement of the budget for changes, improvements, or any modifications, the " Conch Shell Aquarium" still remains inoperable. This is another layer of damage that will need further evaluation. At the same time, from the perspective of the local residents of Songkhla who had initially hoped that this project would become another landmark for the province, it has instead been left abandoned for 14 years, turning it into a significant monument of corruption.
The " Conch Shell Aquarium," which is under the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, the project originated in the year 1993 with plans to establish the "Songkhla Lake Marine Animal Museum" as a tourist attraction. Then, during the years 2003-2005, the feasibility of establishing the museum was studied. The following year, 2006, the Office of the Vocational Education Commission refined the plans and added more details, renaming it as the "Project for the Construction of the Songkhla Lake Marine Animal Breeding Center," or locally known as the "Conch Shell Aquarium," for additional educational, research, and experimental uses in marine biology. The project was approved in the Cabinet meeting using the regular annual budget of 2550 BE (2007 CE) and was allocated an initial budget of 838,562 Baht. This budget was earmarked as a multi-year commitment to carry out the "Songkhla Lake Marine Animal Breeding Center" project, and a private company was contracted for the construction.
The project first encountered issues in 2008, shortly after construction began. Disputes over engineering and architectural matters led to a temporary halt in construction. In 2009, the Ministry of Education formed a committee to investigate the construction issues. It was clarified that the disputes originated from contractual disagreements.
From 2015 to 2017, additional budgets amounting to 381.52 million baht were requested for the construction of marine animal nursery and surrounding areas. In 2018, another 286.25 million baht was requested to complete the project. Until the present year, 2023, more than 1.4 billion baht has been spent on the project, which remains incomplete and abandoned, becoming a topic of news as a monument to corruption.
Nonetheless, Acting Assistant Secretary-General Kiattisak added that the NACC's investigation is segmented into different time periods. This has led to questioning of up to four high-ranking officials from the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, among the 27 individuals accused by the NACC. This includes those who approved the project, those who signed the contracts, and those who requested modifications, as well as related administrative staff. Both civil and criminal liabilities are under consideration. Further assessment will depend on the quantified damages.
The subsequent phase of addressing the issues with the "Conch Shell Aquarium" project will require consultation within the Cabinet, as the original budget was sourced from the Budget Bureau. Should there be a continuation of the project in alignment with its original objectives, this would likely involve a higher budget. Furthermore, it would necessitate a principal entity to manage and coordinate various aspects to ensure that the project can proceed further.
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