BANGKOK, Aug 1 (TNA) - Current Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin, also a deputy leader of the opposition Democrat Party, will contest the Bangkok gubernatorial election due to be held October 5 after his current four-year term ends.
Speaking to journalists following a Democrat Party executive committee meeting, party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the group agreed unanimously to allow Mr. Apirak to contest the Bangkok governorship as the executive committee believed that he could continue his development policy for the Thai capital if elected again.
Mr. Apirak's gubernatorial term will end in September.
Earlier charges that Mr. Apirak was linked to the controversial procurement of fire trucks and boats were now cleared after the Democrat Party reviewed the findings of a report prepared by the now disbanded Asset Examination Committee (AEC) and sent to National Counter Corruption Commission, finding that the governolr's name was not listed as being suspect, said Mr. Abhisit.
The charge was earlier pressed against Mr. Apirak, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and four other persons by the AEC.
The corruption case being investigated involves the purchase of 315 firefighting trucks and 30 boats at what is alleged to have been an inflated price of Bt6.7 billion. Mr. Samak was governor at the time of the purchase and Mr. Apirak later signed a letter of credit.
Stressing his innocence regarding the transaction, Mr. Apirak said concerned officials could probe into the matter at any time. (TNA)
Political News : Last Update : 16:43:37 1 August 2008 (GMT+7:00)
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