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Published on September 15, 2007

The entire Assets Examination Committee (AEC) panel investigating the fire-fighting-equipment procurement scandal resigned because the members could not understand the AEC board's stance in the case, its former chairman said yesterday.

Prasert Boonsri said none of the subcommittee's members understood why the AEC board alleged that the Agreement of Understanding (AoU) and purchase contract for the deal were illegal.

"There is not sufficient evidence to back this allegation," Prasert said.

He said the AEC board's stance seemed to suggest that the Austrian ambassador to Thailand had colluded with Thai officials in arranging the deal.

"But my panel thinks the problems stemmed from the fact that some Thai officials were reckless or corrupt in preparing the deal," Prasert said.

The AEC board twice rejected the panel's findings and asked it to review whether any more officials should be indicted. The board also stated that the AoU and purchase contract were illegal.

According to the subcommittee chaired by Prasert, there are grounds to believe that five former and incumbent officials acted corruptly in preparing the deal and that this cost the country an estimated Bt1.9 billion.

The officials are Bhokin Bhalakula, Samak Sundaravej, Police Maj-General Atilak Tanchukiat, Pracha Maleenont and Somsak Khun-ngern.

The deal dates back to 2004, when Bhokin, in his capacity as interior minister, signed an AoU with the Austrian ambassador for Thailand to buy fire engines, fire boats and other fire-fighting equipment for the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department, a unit of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The Interior Ministry oversees the BMA.

Pracha, then Bhokin's deputy, and assistant secretary Somsak helped prepare the agreement.

The deal involved a counter-trade agreement, which was prepared by the Commerce Ministry and Foreign Trade Department.

Former Bangkok governor Samak later signed the purchase agreement just before his term ended. Austrian company Steyr Daimler Puch is the supplier. Atilak, who heads the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department, was also involved.

Prasert's panel did not implicate Samak's successor, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin, and former city clerk Nathanon Thaweesin for their roles in the procurement process. Neither did the panel's report cast doubt on the role of the Austrian ambassador and officials involved in the counter-trade agreement.

Defending the Austrian ambassador, Prasert said yesterday that any ambassador could offer to sell products from their country.

"We have resigned not because we are unhappy with the AEC board and not because we are afraid of hard work," Prasert said; "we have resigned because we cannot respond to the AEC board's resolutions that the purchase agreement, counter-trade agreement and AoU in the deal are illegal".

Prasert also questioned why the AEC board did not officially charge Bhokin, Samak, Atilak, Pracha and Somsak despite solid evidence of their wrongdoing.

AEC chairman Nam Yimyaem had reacted to the subcommittee's resignation by saying it was common for different legal opinions to arise during an investigation.

"But when it goes to court, evidence will prevail," Prasert said.

Meanwhile Samak, now leader of the People Power Party, sent his lawyer to the Civil Court yesterday to file a Bt150-million lawsuit against PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan.

The lawsuit is based on Thirapat's remark, in an interview published last month, that Samak should clear allegations about the fire-fighting-equipment deal before he took up the party leadership.

"His interview suggests that Samak corruptly signed the purchase agreement, which damages his reputation. Samak has not been prosecuted," the lawyer said.

The Civil Court agreed to take the case.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan,

 Kesinee Taengkhiew

 The Nation