Contractor claims 3.7 million baht unpaid wages in DSI probe
A construction contractor appeared before the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers to discuss his knowledge of those associated with China Railway Number 10 and 9 PK company, major contractors in an ongoing investigation.
The meeting occurred at the DSI headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road at 9.30am, yesterday, April 8, where Thitiphong Pothiprom was questioned for more than three hours regarding a 3.7 million baht unpaid wages issue linked to 9 PK. This matter could be connected to a nominee case under the Foreign Business Act of 1999, which the DSI is treating as a special case.
Thitiphong shared that the DSI investigators sought his testimony to identify contractors linked with China Railway Number 10 and 9 PK. He believes the inquiry aims to compile a list of nominees associated with these companies, as part of the DSIโs special case investigation.
His company had been contracted by 9 PK since early last year, handling electrical installations from the basement to the 30th floor of a building.
However, payment issues arose as 9 PK only provided 40% of the requested instalments, leaving Thitiphong with an outstanding balance of 3.7 million baht. To manage financially, he had to mortgage personal assets, leading to debt.
Thitiphong added that despite repeated requests for the 22nd payment instalment, he never received the full amount from 9 PK, prompting him to withdraw his team from the project in January. Following continuous payment delays and excuses from 9 PK, he was compelled to stage a protest in February.
Looking ahead, Thitiphong plans to visit Bang Sue Police Station today to provide further testimony in his wage dispute case. Additionally, he is scheduled for a meeting in the afternoon with representatives from China Railway Number 10 and 9 PK to discuss the outstanding payment of approximately 3.7 million baht, excluding taxes, outside the State Audit Office (SAO) in Chatuchak.
The construction worker hopes to receive the full amount to settle his debts without pursuing additional damages, reported KhaoSod.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Woranan Silam, director of the Consumer Protection Division and DSI spokesperson, remarked that the nominee case is currently the focus.
If the investigation reveals unfair pricing practices related to the SAO building, it may expand to include bid rigging and the quality of construction materials. The DSI holds the legal authority to take on such special cases, provided all evidence concerning the building is comprehensive.
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