Surachet is pressing criminal charges against 7 state officials, harshly criticizing the embezzlement of 68 billion baht and highlighting a scheme to sabotage competitors to benefit investors. Meanwhile, Siripong has accepted responsibility to expedite the investigation and vowed not to let the issue be forgotten.
On 21 May 2026, during a parliamentary session, Surachet Praveenwongwut, an MP from the People's Party, directly questioned Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, with Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkeat responding on his behalf, regarding updates on the massive Orange Line rail concession case and the resulting structural damages.
Surachet opened fire on this major project, alleging it caused state losses totaling 68.613 billion baht from two auctions held just two years apart for the same infrastructure and number of stations. He pointed to apparent systemic corruption through two dirty tactics: in 2020, there was a significant mid-air change of bidding criteria to alter the winner, although under the original rules BTS would have won with a state subsidy of only 9.675 billion baht. After a court suspended the board members, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) abruptly canceled the auction to evade blame. Then in 2022, the second auction was held with conditions excluding BTS from bidding, effectively locking in a single major operator, forcing the state to shoulder nearly 70 billion baht in additional costs in an embarrassing manner.
"The matter has now gone quiet. I fear a settlement or collusion between the two major players to protect each other, which would harm the public interest. Also, watch the Purple Line closely — it’s been divided into sections with hidden strings like the Orange Line. I've heard the matter has been 'settled' and controlled by a protégé," Surachet emphasized.
Surachet added that even if private representatives reach a settlement, the criminal case against state officials must continue. Recently, on 4 November 2024, the Appeals Court ruled that 7 state officials are defendants charged with dereliction of duty through corruption (Section 157). The Central Criminal Court for Corruption Cases has been handling the case since 25 September 2025. Notably, some defendants have not retired and currently hold influential positions such as board members, governors, and department heads within the Ministry of Transport. According to the Civil Service Commission’s rules, supervisors must immediately suspend officials once the case reaches court. The Prime Minister has advised to 'cover names but consider behavior.' Will the minister dare suspend these officials? They must not neglect duty lest they face Section 157 charges themselves.
Surachet also dropped a major bomb about future public hardship, stating the secretly signed contract contains a time bomb regarding fares. Initially, fares range from 15 to 45 baht, increasing with inflation, but by year 11, fares will jump dramatically from 17-50 baht to 23-83 baht immediately. If the government follows the contract, the public will suffer heavily. If the government blocks fare hikes, it must compensate the concessionaire, risking lawsuits and wasting taxpayers’ money. This is a failure to protect state interests.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkeat rose to counter legal points, explaining that past cases, including at the Supreme Administrative Court and Central Criminal Court for Corruption, mostly resulted in dismissals. The courts found that changing the evaluation criteria (RFP) and canceling the first auction were done for state benefit and to solve delays, without intent to harass or favor any private party. Regarding the second auction, the administrative court found it more open and not exclusionary.
Regarding the price differences, Siripong explained that the second auction included stricter technical requirements because the Orange Line route passes many historic sites, requiring advanced technology to prevent landslides or road subsidence. The figures from unofficial documents have yet to undergo verification (POC) to confirm feasibility and thus cannot be directly compared.
However, Siripong thanked Surachet for the new information about the criminal case against the 7 officials, which he had just received. He affirmed that the Ministry of Transport will adhere to the Prime Minister’s policy to 'cover names but consider behavior.' He will forward this information directly to the Minister of Transport and conduct a strict investigation according to legal authority. He assured that this information will not be lost or allowed to fade away.