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MFP urged to end graft in logistics

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Lorry operators called on the Move Forward Party (MFP) to stamp out bribery in the transport sector yesterday, saying the practice has been around for about two decades.

Land Transport Federation of Thailand (LTFT) chairman, Apichart Prairungruang, yesterday led 30 representatives from logistics companies in submitting a petition to MFP MP-elect Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, calling on the party to act swiftly to end the racket.

According to Mr Apichart, kickbacks to highway police add to their operating costs. He said LTFT members have tried to raise the issue in the past, but they were met with intimidation instead.

Out of the 1.5 million lorry operators registered with the Department of Land Transport (DLT), the LTFT estimated around 200,000 regularly pay bribes so their trucks can carry loads beyond the legal limit, he continued, though he insisted none of the LTFT’s 400,000 members engage in such a practice.

He said the bribes range from 3,00015,000 baht, depending on the load amount an operator wishes to put on a truck. He added those who have paid for a “premium” package can carry anything without a weight limit.

“In the past, there were four to five stickers. Now there are 40-50 stickers,” he said.

Mr Apichart said the MFP’s campaign against the bribes had given the federation hope that the issue would be dealt with seriously.

Shortly after the MFP raised the issue, the Royal Thai Police transferred Pol Maj Gen Ekkaraj Limsangkat, commander of the Highway Police Division, to an inactive post at the Operations Centre of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).

However, Mr Apichart said it would take more than that to stamp out the practice, as it is a deep-rooted problem.

Mr Wiroj said the public’s attention is currently on the highway police, but local traffic police are also involved in the racket.

He said the party would gather more information and submit the findings to the Office of the Inspector-General of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and the police’s anti-corruption division.

Earlier, Mr Wiroj claimed that overloaded trucks with special stickers on their windscreens are not required to stop at weighing stations. The stickers indicate a bribe has been paid.

The Move Forward Party (MFP) is expected to finalise its candidate for the House Speaker post in the middle of this month, said party secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon.

He said the party has not decided who it will nominate, but the matter should be settled in this month when the Election Commission is expected to start endorsing poll winners.

Mr Chaithawat said the MFP and Pheu Thai, who are locking horns over the post, will solve the dispute within two weeks.

Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said his party would not discuss who it will nominate for the House Speaker post until it reaches an agreement with the MFP.

“It was agreed at the recent meeting that the issue would not affect the coalition formation. This means if we have an agreement, the coalition formation will proceed without any conflict,” Mr Cholnan said.

“We don’t want any conditions. We don’t want the issue to be settled in a free vote.”

Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai Party, yesterday called on the MFP and Pheu Thai to sort out the issue instead of allowing a free vote over the selection of the House Speaker.

“A free vote will cause problems in the formation of the government. They should finalise it,” she said.

Meanwhile, acting Democrat leader Jurin Laksanawisit said yesterday it is an incorrect understanding that the House Speaker’s role is to drive a political party’s agenda.

Mr Jurin said the House Speaker must maintain neutrality during parliament meetings.

He added that the House Speaker’s conduct is clearly governed by the constitution and parliamentary meeting rules.

BANGKOK POST

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2023-06-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://bangkokpost.pressreader.com/article/281595244916649

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