National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) points out that PTTEP and others helped Rolls-Royce buy PTT Arthit equipment and also seized 10 million baht in bribes.

National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) votes to determine that Chitphong Kwangsuksathit, PTTEP directorate and those supporting Rolls-Royce Energy System Company, have the right to enter into a contract to purchase feed equipment. Gas Turbine Compressor for the production platform in the middle of the Arthit project. Submit a report to the Attorney General File a lawsuit according to legal procedures -Request that 10 million baht in bribe assets be confiscated.

Issara News Agency (www.isranews.org) reports that on April 24, 2024, the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) published a press release on the resolution of the NACC. Pointing out the basis of Mr. Chitphong’s fault Kwangsuksathit Director of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), as chairman of the ad hoc subcommittee, with those who facilitated Rolls-Royce Energy System Company to have the right to enter Enter into a contract with PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited to purchase Feed Gas Turbine Compressor equipment for the central production platform of Project PTT (Project PTT Arthit).

The NACC considered and resolved as follows:

1. The act ofMr. Chitphong Kwangsuksathit, Mr. Anucha Sihanathakathakul and Mr. Marut Maruekatat There is a criminal basis. According to the Act on Offenses of Employees in Government Organizations or Agencies, B.E. 2502, Section 8 and Section 11, and the Act on Offenses Concerning Bidding to Government Agencies, B.E. 2542, Section 12 and The actions of Mr. Marut Marikathat had serious disciplinary grounds.

2. Actions ofMr. Phaophadet Worabutr There is a criminal basis. According to the Act on Offenses of Employees in Government Organizations or Agencies, B.E. 2502, Section 6, Section 8, and Section 11, the Act on Offenses Concerning Bidding to Government Agencies, B.E. 2542, Section 5 and Section 12 Anti-Money Laundering Act, B.E. 2542, Section 5 (1) and (2) in conjunction with Section 60 and the Organic Act on Prevention and Suppression of Corruption, B.E. 2542, Section 103 in conjunction with Section 122 (currently It is an offense according to the Organic Act on Prevention and Suppression of Corruption 2018, Section 128 together with Section 169) and has serious disciplinary grounds.

3. Actions of the other accused From the investigation, no facts and evidence emerged. to be able to hear that he had committed the crime as alleged The accusation is baseless. Let the accusation be dropped.

As for Mr. Chulasingh Wasantasingh, he has passed away. The right to bring a criminal case will be suspended. Therefore the case was dismissed from the registry.

Submit a report of the investigation. documentary evidence electronic copy and the decision will be sent to the Attorney General To prosecute criminal cases and submit reports and investigation documents documentary evidence and decision to the commander to take disciplinary action According to the said offense According to the Constitutional Act on Prevention and Suppression of Corruption 2018, Section 91 (1) (2) and Section 98, as the case may be.

In this regard, notify the Attorney General to request the court that has jurisdiction to consider and adjudicate the case. Confiscation of bribe assets totaling USD 300,543 in accordance with the Organic Act on Prevention and Suppression of Corruption B.E. 2018 Section 83 and Section 84 together with Section 93

Meanwhile, Mr. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, Secretary-General of the NACC, in his capacity as a spokesman for the NACC, stated that this case is a result of the United States Justice Department’s investigation into the case of the payment of bribes by the Rolls-Royce Company. Royce (United Kingdom) (Rolls-Royce plc) and its subsidiaries to government officials in many countries and in the Deferred Prosecution Agreement between the United States and Rolls-Royce Company (United Kingdom), facts regarding the implementation of PTT’s Project Athit have emerged. Petroleum Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, which Rolls-Royce Energy System Company hired an intermediary and part of the commission paid to intermediaries It was used as a bribe to officials of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited in order to be eligible to enter into a contract for the said project. The NACC therefore raised reasonable grounds to take action. investigate By having the entire NACC committee be the investigative body.

The facts from the investigation revealed that between 2004 and 2008, PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited had constructed a production platform in the middle of the Arthit Project. Located in the Gulf of Thailand Off the coast of Songkhla Province and a Feed Gas Turbine Compressor (air compressor driven by a turbine engine that uses gas as fuel) is provided. for use in feeding gas from the source into the production process) in the amount of 2 machines, budget amount 27,000,000 US dollars (approximately 1,000,000,000 baht)

The Board of Directors of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited resolved to assign an ad hoc sub-committee consisting of Mr. Chitphong Kwangsuksathit, Mr. Chulasingh Wasantasingh and Mr. Anucha Sihanatkathakul to have the authority to approve. In the procurement process, Mr. Phaophadet Worabutr, when he was the Deputy General Manager of the Offshore Area (TOA), expedited the issuance of invitation letters for companies that would participate in the bidding, including Rolls-Roy. Energy System before the Procurement Committee of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited gave approval. In addition, in considering and approving the order of the ad hoc sub-committee, Mr. Chitphong Kwangsuksathit, Mr. Chulasing Wasantasingh and Mr. Anucha Sihanatkathakul as sub-committees. The decision was made to approve in principle the order. with comments Prepare cost comparison figures to determine which bidder is the best bidder. It is of the greatest benefit to PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited. It is recommended that the meeting consider it again.

But Mr. Marut Maruekatat, President and Secretary of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, rushed to report to the Board of Directors’ meeting that the ad hoc sub-committee unanimously approved the purchase of Feed Gas Turbine Compressor from the company. Rolls-Royce Energy System, despite the ad hoc sub-committee’s resolution Just agree in principle to order. and there has been no action taken according to the opinions of the ad hoc sub-committee. It is an important issue. Including Mr. Chitphong Kwangsuksathit, Mr. Chulasingh Wasantasingh and Mr. Anucha Sihanathakathakul, who were part of the ad hoc subcommittee and were present at the meeting of the Board of Directors. He did not argue or explain the details. of the resolution of the ad hoc subcommittee in any way

The situation therefore aims to prevent fair price competition. To facilitate Rolls-Royce Energy System Company, who has the right to enter into a contract with PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited to order 2 Feed Gas Turbine Compressors, total procurement value. 24,663,303 US dollars (approximately 900,000,000 baht)

Mr. Phaophadet Worabutr received the benefit. In return from Rolls-Royce Energy Systems, which pays commission into the bank account of Quantummech (Thailand) Company Limited in Singapore. and transferred to close persons of Mr. Phaophadet Worabutr, a total amount of 300,543 US dollars (approximately 10,000,000 baht), which is the receipt of property that is not legally appropriate for oneself or others. Caused damage to PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited.

However, the NACC’s finding of guilt is not yet final. The accused remains innocent until there is a final court verdict.