"Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra is now seeking to annul the Bt6.68billion purchase of fire vehicles from an Austrian supplier. On Monday, he has already signed a letter urging the Office of Attorney General (OAG) to ask the Civil Court to void the purchase contract or at least prevent the payment of the next installment temporarily via an injunction.
Sukhumbhand has based his decision on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) conclusion that the purchase is mired in corruption. "Looking into the ruling, I believe there is no other choice but to bring this case to the court," Sukhumbhand said Tuesday. He also announced that he was ready to accept the consequences of his action. "I have to do this even though I may end up being bankrupt," he said, "I can't just stay on and do nothing".
Sukhumbhand's predecessor, Apirak Kosayodhin, resigned shortly after being re-elected as Bangkok governor because NACC recommended legal action against him for his role in the fire-vehicle scandal.
The fire-vehicle deal was prepared at the time Samak Sundaravej was a Bangkok governor. While serving as the caretaker governor, Samak inked the purchase contract. When Apirak succeeded Samak, he was very reluctant to go ahead with the purchase and asked for opinions from various authorities.
After being pressured by then-interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula, Apirak later opened the letter of credit allowing the purchase contract to take effect. Apirak was blamed for not annulling the contract outright."
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/02/03...al_30094882.php
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The never-ending story of the fire trucks
Started by Expattaya, Feb 03 2009 04:15 PM
1 reply to this topic
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Posted 07 February 2009 - 09:37 AM
The never-ending story of corruption and graft continues:
"Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra made an about-turn on the controversial fire truck purchase by City Hall, and will reconsider his idea to immediately terminate the procurement contract with its Austrian supplier.
On Monday, the governor demanded the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) seek a Civil Court order to terminate the 6.69-billion-baht contract with Austria's Steyr Co. Fire trucks and boats and relevant equipment were allegedly overpriced and are under investigation and court charges for corruption.
On Thursday, the OAG replied that it could not take the action right away because the agreement of understanding (AoU) between Thailand and Austria that concerns the purchase and the procurement contract require the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Steyr to undergo arbitration first.
MR Sukhumbhand said he had earlier wanted to demand the court order and an injunction to foil the payment of the fifth instalment of about 750 million baht to Steyr. The payment is scheduled on Feb 10. He explained on Friday that he had earlier acted according to the resolution of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) that the fire engine contract should be terminated because of the illegality of the AoU.
The NACC cited the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties required an AoU to be signed by either a prime minister or a foreign minister. For the fire engine purchase, the AoU was signed by former interior minister Pokin Polakul five years ago.
However, the OAG sees no problems with the AoU because Mr Pokin reported the AoU to his cabinet with the presence of the then Thai prime minister. MR Sukhumbhand said therefore he would like the OAG and the NACC to jointly rule on the legality of the AoU first.
Pending the joint consideration, the BMA would have to let go the fifth instalment."
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...uck-procurement
"Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra made an about-turn on the controversial fire truck purchase by City Hall, and will reconsider his idea to immediately terminate the procurement contract with its Austrian supplier.
On Monday, the governor demanded the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) seek a Civil Court order to terminate the 6.69-billion-baht contract with Austria's Steyr Co. Fire trucks and boats and relevant equipment were allegedly overpriced and are under investigation and court charges for corruption.
On Thursday, the OAG replied that it could not take the action right away because the agreement of understanding (AoU) between Thailand and Austria that concerns the purchase and the procurement contract require the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Steyr to undergo arbitration first.
MR Sukhumbhand said he had earlier wanted to demand the court order and an injunction to foil the payment of the fifth instalment of about 750 million baht to Steyr. The payment is scheduled on Feb 10. He explained on Friday that he had earlier acted according to the resolution of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) that the fire engine contract should be terminated because of the illegality of the AoU.
The NACC cited the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties required an AoU to be signed by either a prime minister or a foreign minister. For the fire engine purchase, the AoU was signed by former interior minister Pokin Polakul five years ago.
However, the OAG sees no problems with the AoU because Mr Pokin reported the AoU to his cabinet with the presence of the then Thai prime minister. MR Sukhumbhand said therefore he would like the OAG and the NACC to jointly rule on the legality of the AoU first.
Pending the joint consideration, the BMA would have to let go the fifth instalment."
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...uck-procurement
