Bangkok Governor Apirak quits

Apirak said his resignation will take effect on November 20 after the royal cremation of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.

Apirak, also Democrat deputy leader, apologised to Bangkokians who elected him to the position as well as Democrat Party who supported him to the post.

"I resign from the position although the court has not yet ruled on the case to set standard for Thai politicians and Thai politics," he told a press conference.

The NACC will then forward the case to the Court. Apirak told the press conference that he will return after the Court rules on the case.

The National Anti- Corruption Commission ruled on Tuesday that Apirak is guilty according to the criminal law's Article 157 because the Bt6.7 billion contract, which he signed, was against the Cabinet's resolutions and that it was a reckless action because he had not listed to opposing arguments.

Besides Apirak, who won his second four-year term as governor just last month, four ex-ministers, including ex-premier Samak Sundaravej, also faced the NACC's guilty verdict in the same case.

The NACC said Apirak was guilty of violating Article 157 of the Criminal Code and the Government Procurement Act when he approved a letter of credit to pay for the Bt6.6-billion fire engines and related equipment at the beginning of his first term in office.

The payment was made via Krung Thai Bank to an Austrian firm that won the contract to supply the goods.

Some of the fire engines have been left to rust over the years, due to the absence of a legal settlement on the deal.

Former premier Samak was also found guilty in the case because he was Bangkok governor when the contract was made.

Other alleged wrongdoers include former interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula and former commerce minister Wattana Muangsuk.