Latest Development:

March 13: Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin announced Thursday he will suspend his duty after an anti-graft panel linked him to fire trucks scandals.

Following Apirak's decision, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was quick to offer moral support for Apirak saying is a true Democrat and that he suspended his duty in order to show accountability for the fire trucks scandal.

"Apirak has done his best to consult with relevant agencies about the legality of the contract but he was told to comply with it and had no other options," Abhisit said.

Minister Sutha Chansaeng, the boss of Nathanon Thavisin on Thursday insisted he would not suspend her from the position of adviser to the Social Development and Human Security Ministry inspite of her involvement in irregularities relating to the fire trucks scandal.

Sutha said Nathanon's present job had no bearing on the case which happened when she was the city clerk of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

March 12, 2008: Assets Examination Committee on Wednesday charged against six people including Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin for involving in fire trucks scandal, AEC member Klanarong Chantik said.

The others included former commerce minister Wattana Muangsuk, former city clerk Nattanond Thaweesilp, ex-international trade department Rachen Pojanasuthorn. Austrian company Steyr Daimler Puch which is the supplier and the company's representative, Mr Mag Mario Minar.

They would be summoned to defend charges with ab AEC investigative panel.

Feb 27: The AEC's chairman Nam Yimyaem said its fact-finding team had enough grounds to open a full investigation of five people, including three politicians, for their parts in the allegedly overpriced Bt6.7-billion deal. They comprise former interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula, his deputy Pracha Maleenont and Pracha's assistant Somsak Kun-ngern, former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej and the former Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department chief Atilak Tanchukiat. 

The five people are being probed for malfeasance or corruption in violation of Article 157 of the Criminal Code, causing damage of over Bt6 billion to the government.

Aug 12: AEC member warned the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration of "consequences" if it pays another Bt743 million for fire-fighting equipment purchased in an allegedly corrupt deal. The administration has set aside the money for a second instalment for the Bt6.68 billion purchase.

July 24: The Bt6.68-billion fire-truck procurement deal could be cancelled unconditionally providing that an Assets Examination Committee (AEC) investigation proves that it was corrupt, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said.

July 23: Assets Examination Com-mittee members reportedly discussed replacing the chairman of a sub-panel probing the Bt6.67 billion fire-vehicle purchase scandal.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.

July 9: The AEC board ordered an investigative subcommittee to review its decision not to indict Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin and former city clerk Nathanon Thavisin over the purchase of fire-fighting equipment.

July 7:  Sithichok Rawdkrutha (AEC) sub-panel member has complained to AEC chairman Nam Yimyaem that he wants the governor and other Democrat leaders to be quizzed also.

 The committee panel probing fire-vehicle corruption headed by Prasert Boonsri will ask the AEC to charge former interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula and his deputy Pracha Maleenont, former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej, police Maj-General Athilak Tanchukiat and Somsak Kun-ngern for alleged involvement in the scandal

.April 8: An Interior Ministry panel member investigating the scandal said politicians involved in the overpriced purchase of fire-fighting equipment for Bangkok flew to Singapore to collect Bt500 million in bribes.

March 12:  (AEC) will on March 19 ask for a probe into five people - including three politicians - allegedly involved in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) fire truck corruption scandal.

AEC chairman Nam Yimyaem said he had already received an investigation result into the Bt6.68-billion deal - subject to a corruption scandal due to alleged overpricing.
- Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin is set to discuss with Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya on whether to scrap the overpriced Bt6.68billion deal to purchase fire vehicles from an Austrian supplier.

On Monday, the Assets Examination Committee ruled that there were grounds to believe that five officials - former and incumbent - corruptly prepared the deal that caused Bt1.9billion damage to the country.

March 11:The head of a fact-finding panel checking the Bt6.68-billion Bangkok fire-vehicle scandal said there were solid reasons for not implicating Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin.

 Chairman of the Assets Examination Committee's fact-finding panel Prasert Boonsri yesterday defended a decision to announce no wrongdoing by Apirak.

 Politicians have accused the AEC of double standards for letting Apirak "off the hook" while pointing the finger at seven other officials - serving and non-serving.

Feb 27: Former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej, ex-interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula and his deputy Pracha Maleenont are among five people to be investigated by the Assets Examination Committee for alleged involvement in the fire-engine corruption scandal, a source from the AEC said yesterday.

 However, Apirak Kosayodhin, Samak's successor and the current Bangkok governor, who has often been linked to the case, will escape investigation because the purchase was made before he took up the post, the source said.

The five were former interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula, his deputy Pracha Maleenont and Pracha's assistant Somsak Kun-ngern, former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej and the former Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department chief Atilak Tanchukiat.

Background: The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in 2004 signed a contract, approved by then interior minister Bokhin Balakula, to buy fire trucks and boats from Steyr Co of Austria for Bt6.7 billion. Then Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej made a bartertrade deal for Thai broiled chicken. His successor Apirak Kosayodhin opened a letter of credit to pay for the equipment. Graft allegations surfaced early this year after some trucks and boats were said to be overpriced.

The AEC has looked into the process leading to the deal, including preparation of the counter trade. Investigators have questioned five witnesses and are trying to assess the damage. 

Bhokin's then-deputy Pracha Maleenont - and assistant secretary Somsak Khun-ngern - helped prepare the agreement.

Former Bangkok governor Samak signed the purchase agreement just before his term ended. Austrian company Steyr Daimler Puch is the supplier. Atilak, who heads the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department, was also involved.

When Apirak succeeded Samak as Bangkok governor, he publicly questioned the deal.

But when the Interior Ministry insisted the letter of credit be opened, Apirak did so. 

Now, Sittichoke Rodkrutha - who once sat on the Prasert sub-panel - feels Apirak should be responsible for his part in the deal.

Sittichoke said Apirak allowed the deal to take effect despite knowing it was probably illegal.

Sittichoke was removed from the sub-panel. He has now decided to complain to AEC chairman Nam Yimyaem.

After news of this hit the newspapers, the AEC asked for Prasert and his panel to rethink the matter.

If the sub-panel backtracks from its conclusion that there are grounds to suspect just five people, it will have to explain why.

Prasert must explain, too, why he ignored a majority vote to include the city clerk in the beginning.