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On Tuesday, 40 senators vowed to vote against the government's Bt400 billion borrowing decree, if the government endorses the leasing project, 

Ruangkrai said there should be an investigation into the shareholders of companies which join the bidding. He noted that as the cost of the bus is equivalent to the yellow air-conditioned buses, imported earlier for use in Thailand, the project's value should not have exceeded Bt20 billion.

 He asserted that if the bid winner seeks listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the company's value would grow and benefit shareholders. He noted that if the deal was not supposed to benefit some parties, there would not have been requirements in the terms of reference on the size of bidders' registered capital and cash guarantees. He said the cash guarantee is dubious and the Revenue Department should trace the money trail of the bidding companies and their shareholders.

 He said if the Cabinet endorses this project, the government is doing something wrong and could not remain in power.

 "If all parties launch serious scrutiny, politicians would not dare to conspire," he said.

 

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said during his trip to South Korea that he did not know whether the bus project would be tabled for the Cabinet's discussion tomorrow. However, the Cabinet wants the most is the public assurance that the project is worthwhile. He noted that the Cabinet's resolution to have the project reviewed was to ensure such assurance.

 "There have been remarks since the project was initiated early last year, including on the pricing and alternatives. If all these could be answered, the project could proceed," he said.

 

Interior Minister and Bhum Jai Thai Party leader Chaovarat Charnveerakul said on Tuesday that if the prime minister must have good explanation if the project is to be terminated. If corruption is the issue, there are ways to assure the public of transparency. A third-party unit could be hired to conduct the feasibility study of the project.

 On questions that Bhum Jai Thai Party is pushing hard for the project to raise funds for the next election, Chaovarat said that this project is for the public, not the party. He noted that the party has received donations from many parties and its spending is under the Election Commission's monitoring.