TRT spokesman Sita Divari said he wanted to know if the trucks were in a good condition. They were given to city administrators by Steyr six months ago. Sita vowed to take the media on an inspection once the whereabouts of the trucks was disclosed. A TRT official will meet the Bangkok governor at 10am.

Sita said the BMA had ordered a committee to meet Steyr to lower the price of the trucks and alter specifications. A Steyr employee who dealt with the BMA panel was later sacked. "The dismissal has something to do with the meeting," he said, without explaining.

Sita said he would reveal the original version of an inquiry headed by former university rector Boonserm Weesakul into the deal. He accused the BMA of censoring Boonserm's report before it was submitted to four state agencies, including the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Apirak said earlier he was not concerned about a report he might be formally implicated in a DSI probe. "I am confident I have performed my duties in a righteous and careful manner since taking office."

Apirak said a BMA committee was considering an option to formally refuse to receive the vehicles.