Democrat MP to fly to Japan for more information; Special Investigation Department looking for the truth

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has been subpoenaed to appear before a House committee to answer questions over an alleged Bt125-million bribe.

The committee will seek information from Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin, too.

It was discovered last week that a Japanese company paid the money in 2003 to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials to secure a Bt2-billion drainage contract. The Bangkok governor at the time was Samak.

Getting to the source

"I will fly to Japan this month to find out more," Democrat MP and committee vice chairman Chanchai Isarasenarak.

A former Nishimatsu Construction executive told prosecutors in Japan he paid the bribe to officials to win the contract.

It was awarded to a joint venture between Nishimatsu and local construction giant Italian-Thai.

Chanchai says a former chairman of Nishimatsu promises to help the committee's probe. "We will get evidence and documents about this scandal."

The Special Investigation Department is looking into the allegations, too. "It's not an investigation. It's a move to find the truth," its director general Tawee Sodsong says.

Bangkok city clerk Pongsak Semsant says its inquiry will deliver a 1,000-page report today to both the governor and the National Counter Corruption Commission.