Heck, why stop with utility companies? Let's bring in the army!
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Thai Army Proposes To Build TOT SDH Network
July 24, 1998
BANGKOK, THAILAND, Newsbytes via NewsEdge
Corporation : The Telephone Organisation of Thailand's
board chairman Mechai Viravaidya Wednesday
cautiously welcomed the army's proposal to install a
high-speed digital telephone network for TOT.
Mechai said he would like to talk informally with
representatives of the Army about the proposal before
carrying out formal negotiations.
The army is reportedly confident it could replace the six
companies chosen to install the synchronous digital
hierarchy (SDH) system.
"I am glad to see the news," said Mechai. "I would like
to see in detail the army's proposal ... However, so far we
could not tell how much we could save in hiring the
Army instead of the private firms."
Six companies earlier won bids to supply and install the
SDH system in six zones. However, following
accusations of bidding collusion, the TOT board asked
the TOT to buy the equipment on its own and hire the
six firms to merely install the system.
Mechai said he learnt one of the six companies might
withdraw from the project because it does not believe
the profit will be sufficient. "If the company withdraws,
the army may replace the company to install the system,
" Mechai said.
The board chairman said TOT will try to buy the SDH
equipment directly from a manufacturer. The TOT will
propose Thai ambassadors in various countries ask SDH
equipment manufacturers to submit bids.
Early Wednesday, Mechai attended a hearing of the
House committee on communications to explain the SDH
project.
Mechai said he was glad the House committee tried to
ensure TOT projects be transparent. He responded
harshly when confronted with allegations of bidding
collusion.
Democrat MP Thawee Kraikupti, who has been
campaigning against the project, asked Mechai to
explain why each of the six companies bid on the project
in one zone only.
"The fact that a company decided to bid in a particular
zone was because the company had its own reason. I
don't know how they would think because they are not
children of my parents," Mechai replied.
Chat Pattana MP Sunai Jullapongsathorn, deputy
chairman of the House committee, and other opposition
MPs, became angry at the question and began to argue
with Democrat MPs on the panel.
After the House committee resumed the hearing in the
afternoon, the quarrel intensified to the point that Sunai
proposed the removal of Democrat MP Mana
Mahasuweerachai as chairman of the House committee
for alleged bias during the hearing. However, New
Aspiration Party Samphan Lertnuwat moved the meeting
be closed before the vote.
In a related development, Democrat deputy spokesman
Noppadol Pattama said a party committee may conclude
its investigation into the feud between Thawee and
Communications Minister Suthep Thaugsuban over the
SDH project by this weekend.
Noppadol said the committee would listen to Suthep
Thursday and invite Thawee and Mechai to testify
Friday.
Reported By Newsbytes News Network:
newsbytes.com
(19980722/WIRES ASIA, TELECOM, GOVT/)
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