Govt vows transparency in Bt2-tn loans

The government Saturday said projects under the Bt2-trillion loan plan to develop the country's infrastructure will be carried out in a transparent manner, while urging all sectors to check the use of funds and ensure that money is used efficiently and without corruption.

Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt said his ministry had consulted with the Finance Ministry about mapping out measures to ensure that projects under the Bt2 trillion infrastructure development plan are carried out with transparency, and about ensuring appropriate bid prices, and that the companies do not make too much profit and deliver quality work.

"The Transport Ministry's concept is to allow public participation in the check system by providing the public with information through websites and to provide information on where the projects are located, started and completed,'' he said.

He said the projects would be carried out through normal bureaucratic procedures, by getting approval from the National Economic and Social Development Board, the Budget Bureau and the Cabinet. Economic impact assessments and health impact assessments must be conducted on all projects as required by law, he said.

In terms of legal obstacles, Chadchart said the government might have used wrong wordings for the Bt2-trillion loan. He said the bill stipulates that the government would be empowered to seek loans. It would have been better if the bill had stipulated that the government is empowered to invest in the country's infrastructure, he said.