OAG disagrees with BMA's move to annul firetruck deal

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra

Earlier this week, new Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra urged 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 payment is due on February 11.

"The purchase contract states that in any dispute, the parties to the contract must dispatch their representatives to talk and an arbitration committee must be established to look into the dispute," an official working at the OAG revealed on condition of anonymity.

Samak Sundaravej inked the purchase contract several years ago while serving as caretaker Bangkok governor.

His successor, Apirak Kosayodhin, showed reluctance to go ahead with the purchase. However, after pressure  by theninterior minister Bhokin Bhalakula, Apirak finally opened a Letter of Credit for the purchase.

Bhokin signed an Agreement of Understanding with Austria, under which the purchase was made.

However, several factfinding committees later found the Austrian supplier had sold the fire vehicles to BMA at a highly inflated rate.

The National AntiCorruption Commission is now tightening its investigation report to support its ruling that several highprofile politicians and government officials should be prosecuted for their role in the firevehicle deal.

"In a criminal litigation, Bhokin will likely be the only defendant," the same official at OAG said, "And BMA should wait for the criminal case to be completed before starting any civil action".

This official said if BMA insisted OAG petition the Civil Court now, BMA would have to take sole responsibility for damages that might be incurred.

Sukhumbhand, who won the gubernatorial election by a landslide last month, said he would wait to see the written reply from OAG before making any comment.

"I have to examine the recommendations and opinions of OAG first," he said.

While agreeing that establishing an arbitration committee could be an option, he did not rule out the possibility of BMA petitioning the Civil Court itself.

"As a legal entity, BMA has the mandate to do so," Sukhumbhand said.

The new governor added that his actions were not to protect Apirak, his predecessor and his fellow Democrat.

"I just want to end the problem that has dragged on for a long time already," Sukhumbhand said.