Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda has ordered the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and Provincial Electricity Authority to set up separate panels to investigate alleged bribery taking by officials of the two state utilities over the procurement of electrical cables from US company, General Cable.

The bribery scandal came to light after General Cable was fined by the US Justice Department after the company was found to have paid bribes to state officials in several countries, including Thailand, to secure deals to supply electrical cables.

PEA governor Sermsakul Klaikaew said he had formed a probe panel which is made up of PEA officials and representatives from the Justice Ministry.

He added that the panel would ask for more information about the alleged bribery from the US Justice Ministry. He believes the panel can wrap up the case within 15 days.

Interior permanent secretary Krisda Boonrath, chairman of the MEA, said he had assigned MEA governor to form an investigating committee to look into the case.

Probe ordered into electrical cable bribery - Thai PBS English News