The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will today name five people implicated in the Bangkok fire-fighting equipment scandal.

A DSI investigation into the Bt6.8-billion purchase of Austrian-made fire vehicles winds up today.

Its findings will be sent to the National Counter Corruption Commission for possible criminal prosecutions against the five.

DSI deputy chief Thawee Sodsong said the last piece in the puzzle was related to foreign trade protocol and would come from the Commerce Ministry.

News reports said former interior minister Bokhin Bhalakula, former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej and incumbent Governor Apirak Kosayodhin had been investigated by the DSI.

Apirak welcomed the DSI probe.

The others did not respond to the stories.

Apirak has said the city decided not to take possession of 176 fire-fighting vehicles currently impounded by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

A BMA probe headed by Boonserm Weesakul claimed the Austrian-made vehicles were overpriced.

The BMA sent that recommendation to the Interior Ministry, along with its decision not to take possession of the fire-fighting vehicles.

The BMA will discuss the possible scrapping of another deal to buy 139 more fire trucks and 30 fireboats. These have yet to be delivered to the BMA.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Buddhipongse Punakanta told a press conference the purchase was initiated before fire-fighting services in Bangkok became a BMA responsibility back in November 2003.

He repeated assertions that purchase approval for the vehicles was ordered by former governor Samak.