Bangkok: Ekarat Udom-Amnuay, the Chairman of the House Committee on Military Affairs, has announced that Kan Jom Phalang will no longer be invited to provide additional information, but instead, all supporting documents are being requested.
According to Thai News Agency, Ekarat revealed that the Royal Thai Army spokesman has been asked to submit documents pertaining to military equipment requests. This is part of an ongoing investigation aimed at establishing a system for military donations.
Ekarat, a Bangkok MP for the Prachachon Party, highlighted that the recent committee meeting focused on the draft law concerning frequency allocation. The issue at hand involves overlapping frequencies between public and private services, with complaints from the private sector alleging unfair competition due to the military's use of public sector frequencies to generate revenue. The committee is set to investigate whether the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has properly allocated and reported revenue in alignment with NBTC law.
During an October 30th meeting, incomplete information was received from Kan Jom Phalang regarding weapon purchases. Ekarat suspects a frontline military unit submitted a request for weapons through the Kan Jom Phalang Foundation, which allegedly financed the purchase. Consequently, the committee will request all relevant documents from the foundation and involved agencies.
The committee has also reached out to Army spokesman Lt. Gen. Winthai Suvari for documentation, as he was largely unable to address the committee's inquiries. Ekarat emphasized that the investigation is not about assigning blame but about establishing a regulated system for military donations, ensuring transparency and adherence to guidelines.
Ekarat mentioned that this probe might lead to amendments to the Armaments Procurement Act, addressing potential procurement obstacles. The committee plans to seek documentation without summoning Kan Jom Phalang again. The Army spokesman has committed to compiling the required documents, and the committee will verify their completeness based on existing information about shortages and needs.
Ekarat stressed the importance of transparency and collaboration to enhance frontline military operations. He stated that understanding the needs at the frontlines is crucial for effective support and highlighted issues faced by the Border Patrol Police due to resource shortages. He urged senior military leaders to engage with frontline operations to identify and address challenges.
In the event of incomplete documentation from the military, the committee plans to compile its own information for policy recommendations and budget reforms. Ekarat assured that these measures are intended to support, not burden, frontline units, emphasizing the necessity of providing appropriate equipment to meet their operational needs.
Ekarat concluded by expressing confidence in public support for frontline soldiers, advocating for a thorough assessment of equipment needs to ensure effective procurement and prevent external agency interference in frontline provisioning.