Skytrain case may keep Sukhumbhand from
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Due to his legal case involving the city government's controversial Skytrain contract renewal, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra may have to stay in his position until his term ends on January 10.
The governor earlier indicated that he might step down from the post before his term ends, a step that would influence the date of the subsequent election.
“I have to consider whether I need to stay in the post when I meet DSI [Department of Special Investigation] officials to acknowledge the charge. If obliged, I may have to be in the post until my term ends,” Sukhumbhand said yesterday.
The DSI set a hearing for January 9 for the governor and 10 other officials to hear charges that they extended the Skytrain operator’s contract without due authority.
The DSI says Sukhumbhand acted beyond his authority and collaborated in the selling of public utilities, namely the BTS Skytrain, without the authorisation of the interior minister as required by Revolutionary Decree 58. Under the deal struck last May, Krungthep Thanakom, the investment arm of the Democrat-led Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), awarded Skytrain operator BTSC a 13-year contract extension. BTSC still had 17 years left on its contract, and under the new deal the company would hold the rights to operate the Skytrain until 2042.
However, Sukhumbhand affirmed that he won’t act as caretaker to avoid the risk of violating the election laws.
A party source said Sukhumbhand will today consult with the party’s legal team on whether he should attend the DSI meeting and hear the charge. According the source, Sukhumbhand is worried about the effect the charge will have on his bid for re-election.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva reaffirmed that the party would field Sukhumbhand as its candidate despite the charge.
