In an intriguing turn of events, reports indicate that the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is poised to press charges against former Royal Thai Police chief, Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, along with three other police brass. All four come under fire for their alleged involvement in the acquisition of biometric technology for the Immigration Police Bureau (IPB) in 2019. The deal, totaling a hefty 2.1 billion baht, has prompted NACC into action, initiated by a police insider’s revelation.
According to the source, NACC will soon dispatch official communication to Pol Gen Chakthip and his counterparts. These letters will elaborate on the charges and invite the implicated parties to state their case before the investigation wraps up. The case first came under scrutiny when Sittra Biabungkerd, a prominent figurehead at People’s Lawyers Foundation, exhorted NACC to scrutinize the procurement transaction.
This biometrics acquisition raised eyebrows due to inconsistencies between the supplied equipment and the pre-agreed specifications outlined in the terms of reference. In fact, the contractor tasked with the equipment provision failed to deliver as per the contract’s stipulations, leaving the Royal Thai Police Office (RTPO) hanging with six incomplete consignments well past the May 2, 2019 deadline.
Despite these glaring missteps, the RTPO shockingly endorsed the equipment, and even more shockingly, extended the handover deadline to June 30, 2019. Such an extension allowed the supplier to dodge daily fines of 5 million baht. Joining Pol Gen Chakthip in the firing line are Pol Lt Gen Tinapat Phumarin, Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang, and Pol Maj Gen Surapong Chaichan, all occupying senior officers’ slots at the time of the deal completion.
With officials left, right, and center finding themselves embroiled in the controversy, the year 2020 also saw former IPB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn summoned by the NACC to provide witness testimony. Gen Surachate claimed that approximately 40 other individuals also received a summons to testify in this intriguing case.
Perhaps it’s essential to shed light on what biometrics brings to the table. This cutting-edge technology involves measuring and statistically analyzing people’s distinct physical and behavioural traits, used to identify individuals and control access, primarily keeping tabs on individuals under surveillance. This makes the biometrics brouhaha all the more scandalous given the significant ramifications the technology holds not just for law enforcement, but also for everyday citizens.
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