Firetruck procurement scandal

[GWR]

12 March 2008
AEC adds 3 parties to Bangkok fire trucks and boats purchase scandal

A committee to deliberate on the Bangkok purchase of fire trucks and boats controversy headed by Assets Examination Committee (AEC) Chairman Nam Yimyaem revealed that an emergency meeting was called to finalize the matter. The committee has asked the AEC to convene to approve its conclusion of the case with Mr. Nam not being able to divulge the full details of the report.

The AEC Chairman did however reveal that the committee voted unanimously to add 3 parties to the list of conspirators in the case. The first two are former Minister of Finance Wattana Muangsook (วัฒนา เมืองสุข) and former Director of the Foreign Trade Department Rachane Potsuntorn (ราเชนทร์ พจนสุนทร) on charges of failing to conform to the Government Agency Quoting Act. The third party involved is the Steiyer Company which has been charged with creating a contract with ulterior motives.

Governor of Bangkok Apirak Kosayothin however has been absolved from involvement in the case with the AEC stating a lack of evidence. As for the vehicles themselves, the AEC will submit a letter to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to allow it to decide whether it will continue contracts to purchase the boats and trucks or not.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter01
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255103110041

[GWR]

This headline, that charges are being sought against the governor, stands in complete contrast to what was said in today's previous post. So see also previous post. This was posted by The Nation at 20:52, so it is unclear what they mean by "Wednesday charges" below. Later today :confused:, or next Wednesday, March 19?:

AEC to seek charges against city governor

Assets Examination Committee is seeking on Wednesday charges against six people including Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin for involving in fire trucks scandal, AEC member Klanarong Chantik said.

The others included former commerce minister Wattana Muangsuk, former city clerk Nattanond Thaweesilp, ex-international trade department Rachen Pojanasuthorn.

AEC will notify the group so that they can defend themselves.


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30067992

[GWR]

This headline, that charges are being sought against the governor, stands in complete contrast to what was said in today's previous post. So see also previous post. This was posted by The Nation at 20:52, so it is unclear what they mean by "Wednesday charges" below. Later today :confused:, or next Wednesday, March 19?:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30067992

One truly wonders why the AEC were at one point saying they had no interest in involving Apirak in this, and the next minute deciding to seek charges. In a country where deference to power is far more important than transparency, could it be something like this? The AEC is wary of pressing charges against a sitting PM for fear of unleashing social tensions. By dragging in another party, they can thus portray it as a factional issue, which will then be a neat lead in to dropping the whole case in the interests of promoting social harmony and reconciliation - as ordained by the nation's highest authority. ;)

13 March 2008
BMA Governor affirms innocence in response to involvement in fire truck scandal

A lawyer representing Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Governor Apirak Kosayothin has relayed the governor’s response to being cited as involved in the Bangkok fire truck and boat purchase scandal by the Assets Examination Committee (AEC).

The governor has affirmed that he will review the case and the evidence to decipher his connection after receiving news that he was implemented in the matter. He affirmed that his work in the procurement of the vehicles was inline with regulations and was lawful. He also took the opportunity to state that if the AEC were to bring him up on charges of expediting the acquisition of compulsory licenses it must consider that the government at the time had requested the issue be expedited due to foreign affairs matters.

Mr. Apirak has formed his own committee to aid in the investigation of the matter to absolve him from the case at the same time as asking other agencies to lend a hand.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter01
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255103130001

[GWR]

One truly wonders why the AEC were at one point saying they had no interest in involving Apirak in this, and the next minute deciding to seek charges. In a country where deference to power is far more important than transparency, could it be something like this? The AEC is wary of pressing charges against a sitting PM for fear of unleashing social tensions. By dragging in another party, they can thus portray it as a factional issue, which will then be a neat lead in to dropping the whole case in the interests of promoting social harmony and reconciliation - as ordained by the nation's highest authority. ;)
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255103130001

Bangkok city governor suspends his duties

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin announced Thursday he will suspend his duty after an anti-graft panel linked him to fire trucks scandals.

Assets Examination Committee member Klanarong Chantik said on Wednesday that his committee is seeking charges against six people including Apirak and former commerce minister Wattana Muangsuk.

Apirak told reporters that he will suspend his duty, starting today, pending the investigation of the AEC on the scandals.


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30068037

[Wisarut]

Now, Mr Tai Kor (Ekkayut the Gang) has ATTACKED Khunying Ped of takign a Bribe from AI Suriya so the case of Suvvannanbhumn Airport has beocme political Farce
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/6992/23/