DSI: 7 top officials caught in scam
The Department of Special Investi-gation (DSI) yesterday concluded that seven high-ranking officials and former officials had committed malfeasance in the multibillion-baht deal to purchase fire-fighting equipment from Austria for the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department.
"Our conclusion is based on testimony from more than 50 witnesses and 15,000 pages of evidence," director-general Sombat Amornwiwat said. The case will be forwarded to the National Counter Corruption Commis-sion (NCCC) by tomorrow. Sombat did not identify the suspects but said several junior officials would also be accused of malfeasance. Sombat's deputy Tawee Sodsong said the DSI had already checked into the financial dealings of the officials. "If the NCCC finds them guilty, the DSI will initiate legal action against them on money-laundering charges so that we can seize their assets," Tawee said. A source identified the seven suspects as: then interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula, his deputy Pracha Maleenont and Pracha's assistant Somsak Kun-ngern, then commerce minister Wattana Muangsook, then Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin and the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department's former chief Atilak Tanchukiat. Last year, when Bhokin was interior minister, he signed an agreement of understanding (AoU) for the purchase at the government-to-government level. Pracha was responsible for discussing details with Austrian ambassador Herbert Traxl while his assistant, Somsak, prepared the counter-trade plan for the deal. While Wattana was commerce minister, the Foreign Trade Department sealed the counter-purchase agreement with Steyr Daimler Puch, the Austrian supplier of fireboats, fire trucks and fire-fighting equipment for the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department. As acting Bangkok governor, Samak signed the purchase contract with Steyr Daimler Puch, which was conditional on the issuance of a letter of credit for payment. Despite harbouring doubts, Apirak allowed the letter of credit to be opened. Samak said he was merely doing his duty when he stamped the documents prepared by the Interior Ministry. "I am not an expert in the field. How could I know that the items were overpriced? When Apirak found out they were overpriced, why did he still issue the letter of credit for the deal?" the incoming senator said. Apirak insisted that he had already done his best to handle the procurement that was required by the AOU, purchase agreement as well as counter-trade agreement. "I have called for a review many times and the Interior Ministry repeatedly instructed me to issue the letter of credit," he said.
Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai, Jeerawan Prasomsap The Nation
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