SSO project unlawfully approved
An initial finding discovered Tuesday that a Bt2.8 billion information technology project implemented by the Social Security Office (SSO) was not lawfully approved and should be scrapped.
The SSO's fact finding committee found that an approval by SSO secretary general Phairoj Suksamrit for the project made a few days after the September 19 military coup was beyond his legitimate authority, an SSO source said. Responding later to yesterday's Cabinet decision transferring him to be a Labour Ministry deputy permanent secretary, Phairoj said he had no problems complying with the transfer order and welcomed Surin Jirawisit as his successor as the new SSO chief. The committee, headed by former attorneygeneral Komain Phattharaphirom, recommended that a final decision whether to carry on with the project or scrap it rested with Labour Minister Apai Chanthanajulaka. The panel also warned that scrapping the project may subject the SSO to a civil lawsuit possibly demanding Bt100 million in compensation to be lodged by the contractor that was awarded the project. Prathueng Saengsang, a labour leader, said labour groups would give Surin, a deputy permanent secretary, a chance to perform his new duty. However, he called on Surin to take a more compromising stance when working with the SSO board and labour groups.
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