Director of Engineering Department denies receiving 100,000 baht bribe in exchange for building permit

Director of the Engineering Division of Bang Bua Thong New Municipality confirms that he did not receive a 100,000 baht bribe in exchange for a construction permit for a 4-story building, claiming that it was for the wages of engineers and architects supervising the construction. He is preparing to file a complaint against the complainant who caused damage. Mr. Chayut, 48, Director of the Engineering Division of Bang Bua Thong Municipality, Nonthaburi Province, along with his lawyer, submitted a letter explaining the facts and evidence to the investigation officer of the Anti-Corruption Division or the Anti-Corruption Division after being arrested by the Anti-Corruption Division police and NACC officers at his workplace after someone filed a complaint accusing Mr. Chayut of demanding benefits in exchange for issuing a building permit for a 4-story building in Nonthaburi Province, along with 90,000 baht in evidence. Mr. Chayut explained to the media to demand justice because the 90,000 baht that the plainti ff handed over to him on that day was not a bribe to get permission to build the building, but was money to pay an outside architect and engineer to help supervise the construction seriously. Previously, the plaintiff had brought the building construction plan that did not meet the criteria to seek advice many times and had the plan revised twice regarding the land marker information and the extension of the fire escape outside the building. In addition, the building was a large building with 4 floors. When the plaintiff came to seek advice, he advised that there should be an outside engineer and a location as a mediator for the inspection, not a government agency, because if the construction had problems, it would cause high-value damages. He had estimated the cost of the engineer and the architect at 150,000 baht, but the plaintiff asked for a reduction to 100,000 baht. He had already made a deposit of 10,000 baht, which he had given to the architect. He had made an appointment to hand over the remaining m oney on July 4, which was 90,000 baht, divided into 60,000 baht for the engineer and 30,000 baht for the architect. However, because the architect suddenly fell ill, he had to accept the money instead. In addition, on that day, the complainant had to submit the fire escape extension plan so that the permit which the Mayor of Bang Bua Thong Municipality had approved since July 2nd, left only the permit to be issued a number to be effective. However, it turned out that on that day, the complainant brought the police to arrest him and while he was being prosecuted and his superiors had set up a fact-finding committee, another officer took the said permit to request a number even though the complainant had not yet sent the fire escape plan. Therefore, the said permit can now be used for construction according to the law. Mr. Chayut also said that he believed that the incident was caused by a misunderstanding that the money handed over was related to obtaining a permit, which was not true. It was only a consulta tion fee for hiring engineers and architects to supervise the work to ensure safety and compliance with ministerial regulations. He, as the director of the engineering department, did not have the authority to issue permits. He also did not exchange his position for 100,000 baht. He never used any of the money for himself, and his civil servant salary was sufficient. He had been working for a long time and would have savings if he retired. However, I do not plan to sue the police officer back. But after submitting the explanatory documents and evidence to the investigation officer of the Anti-Corruption Division, I and my lawyer will go to file a complaint with the investigation officer of Bang Bua Thong Police Station to prosecute this complainant for false reporting and harassing others to receive criminal punishment. Source: Thai News Agency