DSI: Abhisit, Suthep broke law in policestation bids

Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban allegedly violated laws in awarding contracts to build 396 police stations, the Department of Special Investigation said in its investigation report submitted Tuesday.

Abhisit allegedly violated Article 157 of the Criminal Code covering officials who wrongfully exercise or do not exercise their functions, the DSI said. Suthep is accused of violating the same article, as well as Articles 11, 12 and 13 of the Bidding Price Collusion Act.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said the agency's Corruption Protection and Suppression Centre director Thanin Prempree submitted the case report to the NACC for further action because it is beyond the DSI's authority to handle cases against suspects holding political positions.

DSI investigators alleged that Abhisit and Suthep violated Article 157 by allowing only one firm to be awarded the contract for the entire project instead of observing the Cabinet resolution of Somchai Wongsawat's government that called for separate bids in each of the nine police regions.

The Nation