FIRE-FIGHTING TRUCKS
BMA 'pressured' to accept vehicles
Democrat Party deputy spokesman Yuthapong Charassathien explains to a news conference his claims the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is being forced by some to accept fire-fighting vehicles at the centre of a corruption scandal.
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Democrat alleges preparations already being made to use equipment bought in controversial Bt6.68-billion deal
Democrat Party deputy spokesman Yuthapong Charassathien yesterday claimed the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) was being pressured to take possession of fire-fighting vehicles at the centre of a corruption scandal. Yuthapong said he would hand over the evidence to the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) and Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin on Wednesday. Yuthapong said Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department emblems were being placed on the vehicles. The department is a unit of the BMA. A Bt6.68-billion deal to purchase fire-fighting vehicles and boats from Austrian supplier Steyr Daimler Puch became subject to investigation because of alleged overpricing. An AEC panel has been investigating the purchase. The deal can be traced back to 2004 when then interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula signed an agreement of understanding with the then Austrian ambassador to Thailand. Acting Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej then signed the purchase agreement just before his term ended. Current governor Apirak signed a letter of credit that put the purchase agreement into effect. Yuthapong said if the BMA did not pay the first instalment by February 10 corrupt officials would be exposed. "Anyone trying to accept the fire vehicles now should be considered betrayers of the country," Yuthapong said. He also questioned why Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya set up a panel of representatives from seven government agencies to review the contract. The Interior Ministry supervises the BMA. "I have heard this panel has concluded the contract is okay, prompting the BMA to accept the fire vehicles without waiting for the AEC investigation," Yuthapong said. AEC panel chief Prasert Boonsri yesterday said the probe was progressing and its conclusions would be presented before the end of March. Prasert said his panel had no power to force the BMA to honour the contract payment clauses.
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