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Colonel Piyawat Kingket, who heads the DSI's Special Crime Office, yesterday revealed he was in the process of asking for DSI director-general Tawee Sodsong's approval to act on the case.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Nishimatsu Construction bribed Thai officials to get a tunnel construction project from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

"The case is similar to the bribery at the Tourism Authority of Thailand. So, my office has to take action or else we may be accused of dereliction of duty," Piyawat said.

Tawee said the DSI would be able to begin a probe into the allegation surrounding the BMA project only if there was solid evidence.

The bribes were allegedly paid in 2003. At that time, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was serving as Bangkok governor.

In response to the bribery scandal, officials from the Office of National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) yesterday asked the BMA to cooperate in the probe.

Incumbent Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin welcomed the NCCC move. Currently, the BMA is also probing the bribery allegation.

 "When we finish our probe, we will forward relevant information to the NCCC," Apirak said.

Chanchai Witoonpanyakij, who heads the BMA's Drainage and Sewerage Department, said he would today submit relevant information to Bangkok City Clerk Pongsak Semsant.

The tunnel-construction project is under the supervision of Chanchai's office.

The NCCC will convene a meeting today, but it remains unclear whether the meeting's agenda will include this bribery case.