Arbitrator orders Austrian firm Steyr to pay BMA Bt800m
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AN ARBITRATOR based in Switzerland has ordered Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug, an Austrian manufacturer of fire trucks, to pay Bt800 million to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), which ordered the vehicles. The fire trucks were never used
A BMA source said the payment would not be regarded as either a victory or defeat, and the Thai politicians and a former Bangkok governor found guilty in the scandal to procure the vehicles and other equipment at inflated prices should have their assets seized immediately.
The source said the arbitrator suggested that the BMA take over the vehicles and equipment, which had been abandoned and were in deteriorating condition, and use the Bt800 million for repairs.
The source added that the National Anti-Corruption Commission had given incumbent Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra the go-ahead in terms of restoring the vehicles and putting them to use.
The NACC found a number of politicians, including the late Samak Sundaravej, guilty of corruption as they bought the units at highly inflated prices. The commission recommended the seizure of their assets, which was later legitimised by an order from the Central Administrative Court.
Deputy Bangkok Governor Assawin Khwanmung left for Germany yesterday to seek advice from local companies on possible repairs and maintenance of the abandoned fire trucks.
