Thai corruption commission finds governor guilty

Nov 11, 2008, 11:32 GMT

Bangkok - Thailand's National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) on Tuesday ruled unanimously that Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin was guilty of wrongdoing in the purchase of fire trucks and boats from Austria more than four years ago.

The commission found Apirak, who was recently voted in as Bangkok Governor for a second term, guilty of involvement in 'irregularities' in the 6.7-billion-baht (197 million dollar) purchase of fire trucks and fire boats from Austrian firm Steyr Daimler Puch Company, said the Bangkok Post online news service.

The dubious deal was rushed through by Apirak's predecessor Samak Sundaravej, who went on to become prime minister after the December 2007, general election.

Samak was sacked from the premiership two months ago for violating the constitution by moonlighting as a TV cooking show host.

Apirak was accused of corruption for ordering Krung Thai Bank to issue a letter-of-credit to purchase overpriced fire engines from Austria's Steyr Daimler Puch Company.

Apirak said earlier he was forced by the contract to open a letter of credit for the purchase, even though he had repeatedly resisted it due to the alleged irregularities.

Following the resolution, Apirak, who is a senior member of the opposition Democrat Party, said he would meet with Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to discuss his future.