Bangkok governor, deputy hear charges at DSI

By English News

BANGKOK, Jan 9 – Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra and his deputy, Teerachon Manomaipiboon, acknowledged charges of unlawfully entering an agreement on the city’s Skytrain system at the Department of Special Investigation today.

They flatly rejected the allegations in written statements and said they were compiling documents to file a criminal suit against DSI Director General Tarit Pengdith.

They were greeted and presented with flowers by a group of Democrat Party supporters who wore black at the DSI office amid tight security.

The DSI charged the pair with colluding in an agreement with the Bangkok Transit System Co (BTSC) to extend the capital’s Skytrain system concession contract by 13 years without seeking permission from the Interior Ministry, the direct supervisor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

The city clerk and director of the Traffic and Transportation Department deferred their appearance before the DSI to next Tuesday, and the BTSC executives to next Wednesday.

Pol Lt Col Tawan Mangkang, DSI chief investigation, said he was informed by BTSC executives that they wanted to discuss legal implications of the charges before appearing before the DSI.

Meanwhile, Democrat list MP Ong-art Klampaiboon said the party is launching an election centre Friday while campaigns for the Bangkok polls is kicked off today.

Ong-art,who was assigned to lead the Democrat election centre, said the Democrats have taken the helm of the BMA for the last eight years since the governorship of Apirak Kosayothin.

“The city administration will not encounter a hiccup if the Democrat Party is re-elected to pursue the policies and services to Bangkok people,” he claimed. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-09

Rousing goodbye for Bangkok governor at City Hall

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 9 – Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra bid farewell to city officials and assembly members today, saying he looks forward to returning to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) after the March 3 gubernatorial election.

He officially submitted his resignation letter to BMA city clerk Ninnart Chalitanont and made a farewell speech before the Bangkok Assembly.

BMA officials lined up to say goodbye and gave him flowers, but some could not keep from bursting into tears.

His resignation officially takes effect tonight at midnight – one day before the expiration of his four-year term. The Election Commission, obliged to organise the city election within 60 days, has set March 3 for the polls.

Earlier today, Mr Sukhumbhand and his deputy Teerachon Manomaipiboon appeared up at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to acknowledge charges of irregularities in signing an concession extension contract with a private firm in operating the Skytrain service in the capital. They denied all the charges.

Both plan to file countersuits against the DSI with the Criminal Court. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-09