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Published on July 24, 2007

Prasert Bunsri is allegedly reluctant to take criminal action against Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin for his role in the deal.

A committee source said members discussed replacing Prasert. They want to see the panel's scrutiny of Apirak expedited. Apirak's decision to have a letter of credit opened to facilitate the deal - despite the governor's knowledge it violated a protocol regarding reciprocal deals with foreign business partners - is at the heart of the investigation.

The committee earlier discussed progress by the Prasert panel in deciding if Apirak should be indicted. It believes little has been achieved.

The discussion over Prasert's replacement turned into a debate after certain board members supporting him said he worked hard and was dedicated.

The debate ended after Auditor-General and committee member Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka ordered the sub-panel to began a probe into Apirak.

She said five people already indicted by the committee - including former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej and former interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula - could take counter action if it did not proceed against Apirak.

Aprirak earlier threatened criminal-defamation charges against anyone criticising him for alleged involvement in the fire trucks deal.

He said yesterday he would initially target those who had attacked him personally before accusing a former AEC member, Sithichoke Rodkhruttha, of making a public statement questioning his performance.

Sithichoke is a member of the committee's sub-panel that scrutinised the deal between Austrian manufacturer Steyr Daimler Puch and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

He recently doubted Apirak's ability to sort out the scandal despite the governor's former experience as a chief executive officer for an entertainment company earning more than Bt1 million a month.

Meanwhile, administration spokesman Chanin Rungsaeng dismissed reports Apirak managed to have a letter of credit opened to facilitate the fire-vehicle deal without consulting Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and, therefore, the arrangement was done without his approval. Apirak is a deputy leader of the party.

Chanin said Apirak - with Abhisit's knowledge - consulted lawyers Khanueng and Partners on the recommendations of party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban and chief legal adviser and former party executive Marut Bunnag.

He countered a recent Interior Ministry statement that said the deal between the administration and Steyr had been partially void because the letter of credit was not opened to match conditions required in the contract.

The spokesman said all legal advisers - including law lecturers and government legal experts - consulted by Apirak said the deal was valid.

Subsequent findings proved the vehicles were overpriced and not made entirely abroad as stated in the contract between the administration and the Interior Ministry.