DSI Is Discriminating Against The Bangkok Governor

[Jai Dee]

Democrat party leader says DSI has no authority to investigate on BKK governor

Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ) indicated that the Department of Special Investigation has no authority to call Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayothin (อภิรักษ์ โกษะโยธิน) for investigation, charging that the DSI is discriminating against the Bangkok governor.

Mr. Abhisit said that the DSI is acting beyond its authority specified by the Constitution, which states that investigations on criminal charge against holders of political offices are the responsibility of the National Counter Corruption Commission.

He expressed belief that the issue is being politicized, adding that the DSI is discriminating against the Bangkok governor, when compared to other government’s corruption cases.

However, Mr. Abhisit said that the party supports Mr. Apirak to cooperate with the DSI, while urging him to use his legal rights to file cases against the DSI for unlawful action.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Bangkok Governor has formally accepted a charge on his involvement in price collusion of BMA projects

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin has vowed to provide cooperation to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in probing his alleged involvement in price collusion of several Bangkok Metropolitan Administration projects.

Mr. Apirak called at the DSI this morning to accept the charge against him, following a warrant issued by the DSI. Speaking to more than 500 supporters, Governor Apirak said he would give full cooperation to the DSI to prove his innocence. He insisted he has carried out all projects with honesty and believed the matter is a political game. He said he has yet to see whether to sue the DSI.

Mr. Apirak also clarified that the Office of the Auditor General has not set up an investigation committee but only sent him a letter inquiring about the case.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 Febuary 2006

[bulmercke]

" He (Apirak) insisted he has carried out all projects with honesty and believed the matter is a political game."

I believe this, and without question, he has carried out his duties fairly and impartially. The problem is that the BMA is under his auspices as governor and he would have approved the successful bids. Unfortunately, the BMA which comprises corrupt officials, is forever going after back-handers from competing contractors in bidding processes.

In this case, the executives of some of the sixteen companies that won contracts in the now suspended projects comprising 20 billion baht were working hand in hand with some BMA officials.

Usual cartel: government ministers - bureaucrats - and businessmen - getting together to rig government contracts - often executed and completed in some of Bangkok's top end hotels around drinks and fine fare.

Of course, Apirak ultimately has over-all responsibility for the fair and proper allocation of these much coveted contracts which, in this case appear to have not been awarded fairly.

This is a very political move on behalf of the DSI. A tit for tat exercise. And they don't really have the authority to issue a warrant against him. As far as I know, they never did this with Apirak's predecessors - including that truly horrible Samak.

Interestingly the Interior Ministry, which supervises the BMA, refused to set up a joint BMA-ministry investigation panel to look into the fire truck deal, another scandal involving the incredibly corrupt BMA - which would be to the Democrats advantage.

AS THAKSIN SAID.......YOU'RE EITHER WITH US OR AGAINST......LOOKS LIKE THE INTERIOR MINISTRY, the DSI and the BMA ARE WITH HIM....... the DEMOCRATS and the BKK GOVERNOR STAND ALONE ON THIS ONE!

Edited February 14, 2006 by bulmercke

[Rinrada]

Reminds me of Chuen when he was PM.

Recognised throughout the country as being a respected and honourable politician but TIT and when the old (corrupt) guard get together for a bonding session the funny handshakes win...

Good luck to the DEMOCRATS and BKK GOVERNOR .....but the big wheel has too many spokes.....

[bulmercke]

Reminds me of Chuen when he was PM.

Recognised throughout the country as being a respected and honourable politician but TIT and when the old (corrupt) guard get together for a bonding session the funny handshakes win...

Good luck to the DEMOCRATS and BKK GOVERNOR .....but the big wheel has too many spokes.....

Fighting windmills!

Battle lines are being drawn.......Samak.....Thaksin......Most Senators (that are paid off).......Most of the House of Representatives.....Thai Lak Thai......Most of the broadcast media.....the police.....most of the army (though certain factions want Thaksin out).....most newspapers......Isaan.....ON ONE SIDE......Oh, no forgetting that green-eyed monster always hungry for more amd more money and power.....TOXIN.....

The Alliance for Democracy.....the opposition.....The Nation......Sondhi.....Apirak......disenchanted BKK residents.....ON THE OTHER.........and the South.......

Edited February 14, 2006 by bulmercke

[Jai Dee]

DSI presses charges against Apirak

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin, center, accepts a bouquet of flowers from one of the hundreds of well-wishers who turned up to give him moral support at his appearance at the office of the Department of Special Investigation.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday charged Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin with dereliction of duty and malfeasance, DSI Director General Pol Gen Sombat Amornwiwat said.

DSI’s action against Apirak follows the agency’s summons to four senior Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officers last month to appear for questioning in connection with allegations of corruption in the bidding for 16 BMA construction projects worth a total of 20 billion baht.

Pol Gen Sombat said yesterday that the two charges against Apirak are pursuant to the Bidding Procedures for State Officials Act of 1999.

“Governor Apirak is charged with gross negligence under Section 10 and wrongdoing under Section 13,” Sombat said at the DSI office, following the governor’s appearance in the morning in response to DSI’s writ.

Sombat said that the penalty for the first charge is one to 10 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of 20,000 to 200,000 baht, while the second charge carries a jail sentence of seven to 20 years’ and/or a fine of 140,000 to 400,000 baht.

He claimed that DSI has the authority to summon Apirak to appear as a suspect because there is no difference between the terms “the suspect” and “the accused.”

He added that the agency is also empowered to gather evidence and submit the case to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) for further action.

He emphasized that DSI has handled the allegations fairly and has not practiced double standards.

“DSI has treated this case like other corruption cases that occur in other provinces, including Chiang Mai, Narathiwat and Prachuab Khiri Khan,” he said.

He said that Apirak had cooperated with DSI, although he had not provided much information.

“Governor Apirak told the investigators that he will give written answers to their 20 questions by February 19,” Sombat added.

Answering reporters’ questions, Apirak said that DSI’s action was aimed at discrediting him. He insisted that he has been working honestly as governor for more than a year.

“I am certain that this legal action has a hidden political agenda,” he stressed.

Apirak denied DSI’s accusations, saying he has done nothing wrong. He also asserted that DSI should have not issued a summons to him to appear as a suspect.

“According to the Democrat party’s legal team, DSI does not have the authority to do that, because that authority is vested in the NCCC,” he said,

Even so, he said, he will cooperate with DSI to seek the truth.

Source: ThaiDay - 15 February 2006

[Jai Dee]

Khunying Nathanon and BKK administrators asserts that every official is willing to work for public general

Bangkok Permanent-Secretary KHUNYING NATHANON THAVISIN (ณฐนนท ทวีสิน) and BKK administrators asserted that every official is willing to work for the general public although the capital is facing various waves of crisis.

The director-general confirmed that they will do their best to serve BKK people. She admitted that the problems which BKK is facing have affected BKK officials’ confidence. She, however, said that the officials will use this hard time as an opportunity to improve their working standard.

She said that there are no conflicts within the organization of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and that mistakes are a common thing in life.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 Febuary 2006