Apirak indicted

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday indicted Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin in the controversial Bt6.6-billion fire-engine procurement contract.

Besides Apirak, who won his second four-year term as governor last month, four ex-ministers, including ex-premier Samak Sundaravej, also faced the NACC's guilty verdict in the same case.

Kuthep Saikrajang, spokesman for the ruling People Power Party (PPP), said Apirak would have to resign to take responsibility.

"He should call it quits immediately, in the same way that the opposition Democrat Party tried to urge Cabinet members to resign when there was the controversy over the two- and three-digit lottery case involving PPP ministers," he said.

If a new election for the post of Bangkok governor is held, the PPP will again field Prapat Chongsanguan as its candidate, he said.

Prapat, former head of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority, placed second in the October 5 election, winning about 500,000 votes, while Apirak landed his second term with nearly 1 million votes.

Banyat Bantadtan, deputy leader of the Democrats, said the NACC ruling would have a significant effect on the party's standing in Bangkok's constituencies.

A senior party source said Korn Chatikavanij, another deputy leader, was among the front runners for the post of Bangkok governor if Apirak tendered his resignation.

Korn told The Nation there had been a discussion about fielding a candidate to replace Apirak in the next election but declined further comment.

He said he was still focusing on his role as Bangkok MP and shadow finance minister.

Election Commission member Sumeth Ubanisakorn said Apirak did not need to resign, but rather only suspend his work until the court ruled. Korn said the Party and Apirak would decide together.

However, the party once made it clear one must suspend work when indicted by the NACC.

Apirak himself said he would call a press conference today to announce his decision following the NACC's ruling.

Party sources said Apirak was expected to resign today.

Chuwit Kamolvisit, who received about 300,000 votes in the October 5 election, said he would also run in any new polls.

The NACC said Apirak was guilty of violating Article 157 of the Criminal Code and the Government Procurement Act when he approved a letter of credit to pay for the Bt6.6-billion fire engines and related equipment at the beginning of his first term in office.

The payment was made via Krung Thai Bank to an Austrian firm that won the contract to supply the goods. Some of the fire engines have been left to rust over the years, due to the absence of a legal settlement on the deal.

Former premier Samak was also found guilty in the case because he was Bangkok governor when the contract was made. Other alleged wrongdoers include former interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula and former commerce minister Wattana Muangsuk.