Court must block fire-trucks payment: Sukhumbhand

On Monday, he signed a letter urging the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to ask the Civil Court to void the purchase contract or at least issue an injunction to prevent the next instalment being paid.

The next instalment is due on February 21.

Sukhumbhand's decision was on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) conclusion that the purchase is mired with corruption.

"Looking into the ruling, I believe there is no other choice but to take this case to court," Sukhumbhand said yesterday.

He said he was ready to face the consequences of his action.

"I have to do this even though I may end up being bankrupted," he said. "I can't just stay on and do nothing because people have elected me to solve problems in this city."

Sukhumbhand's predecessor Apirak Kosayodhin stood down shortly after being re-elected because the NACC recommended legal action against him for payments made to the Austrian firm for the fire vehicles.

The fire-vehicle deal was signed when Samak Sundaravej was caretaker governor.

When Apirak succeeded Samak, he was very reluctant to go ahead with the purchase and asked for opinions from various authorities.

After being pressured by then-interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula, Apirak later opened a letter of credit allowing the purchase contract to take effect. Apirak was blamed for not annulling the contract outright.

But many fact-finding panels have said Apirak should not be held responsible because the letter of credit was a step legally required by the purchase contract.

There is huge concern among parties involved that anyone dealing with the contract may end up being sued by the Austrian supplier.

"I feel ethically obliged to take action and I will solely take responsibility for my actions," Sukhumbhand said.

The Austrian supplier has delivered hundreds of fire trucks and fireboats but the BMA has never used any of them due to the scandal.