Interior minister Chalerm Yubamrung has denied an official request for temporary leave by Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin - and challenged him to resign instead.
Mr Chalerm said at a press conference on Sunday that Mr Apirak had submitted a request to take one month’s leave starting last Thursday (March 13). The reason given was to take care of personal business.
The interior minister explained he did not grant the governor permission for the leave because the reason stated in his request was different from that given by Mr Apirak at an earlier press conference.
Earlier in the week Mr Apirak, also a deputy leader of the opposition Democrat party, announced his suspension of duty as governor pending a corruption probe into the controversial procurement of fire trucks and boats.
The charge was pressed against Mr Apirak, prime minister Samak Sundaravej and four other people by the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC).
"It's (both) my personal standpoint and (that of) the Democrat Party. I talked to (opposition leader) Abhisit. That's the sign of an ethically guided politician, one who is ready to step back from his role until the final verdict is reached without waiting for any request from the public," said Mr Apirak.
Citing the self-contradiction, Mr Chalerm, a key member of the People Power Party (PPP), stated there was no other reason for Mr Apirak to take temporary leave.
“If Mr Apirak and the Democrats really want to show their high political spirit, he should resign to pave way for an earlier gubernatorial election,” said the interior minister.
Mr Apirak’s gubernatorial term will be over in September.
Mr Chalerm added on Monday March 17 he would return Mr Apirak’s request, ordering him to resume his duties. Otherwise, Mr Apirak would be subject to punishment for malfeasance.
The corruption case being investigated involves the purchase of 315 firefighting trucks and 30 boats at what is alleged to have been the inflated price of 6.7 billion baht. Mr. Samak was governor at the time of the purchase and Mr. Apirak later signed a letter of credit. (TNA)
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Mr Chalerm said at a press conference on Sunday that Mr Apirak had submitted a request to take one month’s leave starting last Thursday (March 13). The reason given was to take care of personal business.
The interior minister explained he did not grant the governor permission for the leave because the reason stated in his request was different from that given by Mr Apirak at an earlier press conference.
Earlier in the week Mr Apirak, also a deputy leader of the opposition Democrat party, announced his suspension of duty as governor pending a corruption probe into the controversial procurement of fire trucks and boats.
The charge was pressed against Mr Apirak, prime minister Samak Sundaravej and four other people by the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC).
"It's (both) my personal standpoint and (that of) the Democrat Party. I talked to (opposition leader) Abhisit. That's the sign of an ethically guided politician, one who is ready to step back from his role until the final verdict is reached without waiting for any request from the public," said Mr Apirak.
Citing the self-contradiction, Mr Chalerm, a key member of the People Power Party (PPP), stated there was no other reason for Mr Apirak to take temporary leave.
“If Mr Apirak and the Democrats really want to show their high political spirit, he should resign to pave way for an earlier gubernatorial election,” said the interior minister.
Mr Apirak’s gubernatorial term will be over in September.
Mr Chalerm added on Monday March 17 he would return Mr Apirak’s request, ordering him to resume his duties. Otherwise, Mr Apirak would be subject to punishment for malfeasance.
The corruption case being investigated involves the purchase of 315 firefighting trucks and 30 boats at what is alleged to have been the inflated price of 6.7 billion baht. Mr. Samak was governor at the time of the purchase and Mr. Apirak later signed a letter of credit. (TNA)
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