Monthien justifies the expensive choices in their furniture line.
In a recent turn of events, the Auditor-General Monthien Charoenpol has defended the pick of pricey furniture for the new State Audit Office (SAO) headquarter building, which sadly met its demise on March 28 due to a powerful earthquake in Myanmar.
Speaking after a lengthy meeting with the House committee on corruption and misconduct prevention and suppression, Mr Monthien shed light on the design process. Designers were commissioned to draft the building plan, including specifications for equipment and furnishings on each floor, whereas the SAO's role was to examine the design and proposed furnishings to ensure their appropriateness and reliability.
"The high-priced items in the limelight were part of the design phase," he explained. "Before they turned into actual furniture, the construction needed to be completed, and the items had to be procured."
Addressing the controversy surrounding 30,000-baht showerheads and 90,000-baht meeting room chairs, Mr Monthien clarified that the SAO employs around 2,400 staff, and regular chairs typically cost between 10,000 and 20,000 baht. He explained that, similar to many other companies, upper floors are for executives, and the furnishings reflect their status. Due to public criticism over the prices, he asserted that the high-priced chairs, just one set, were for the chairman and board members in the meeting room, rather than for every SAO staff member.
Claiming that the SAO's executives hold positions equivalent to cabinet ministers, as stipulated by law, he suggested that high-priced chairs were befitting. As for the showerheads, Mr Monthien explained that all modern office buildings require restrooms, and the design included two types of showerheads, which, when combined during implementation, elevated the overall expense.
Regarding allegations about a movie theater, Mr Monthien stated that they were merely meeting rooms, while the term "theatre room" merely referred to the room's layout, not its intended use.
Former auditor-general Phisit Leelavachiropas has denied any involvement in the SAO building design, stating that he was only involved in the project during its early stages.
The high-priced furniture selection was influenced by design specifications outlining premium items for leadership roles, whereas the focus on luxury items sparked public uproar due to transparency concerns and perceived extravagance. Critics questioned the necessity of premium furnishings, considering regular office chairs ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 baht for most staff.
The building's collapse during construction, preceding the furniture procurement process, further amplified the scrutiny.
- The new State Audit Office (SAO) headquarter building, which was destroyed by an earthquake in Myanmar, was designed to include high-priced furniture, as Mr Monthien explained.
- Before becoming actual furniture, the construction of the SAO building needed to be completed, and the items had to be procured, according to Mr Monthien's statement.
- Addressing the controversy, Mr Monthien clarified that the high-priced 90,000-baht meeting room chairs were intended for the chairman and board members in the meeting room, not for every SAO staff member.
- Critics questioned the necessity of premium furnishings, such as 30,000-baht showerheads, considering regular office chairs cost between 10,000 and 20,000 baht for most staff.
